The Raigarh district administration has directed officials to intensify verification drives to identify illegal immigrants and strengthen internal security while reviewing law and order arrangements across the district. The directions were issued during a high-level meeting chaired by Collector Mayank Chaturvedi and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shashi Mohan Singh.

The meeting covered 16 key agenda points, including law and order, road safety, traffic management, heavy vehicle parking, and measures to improve public safety.

Verification Drive for Illegal Immigrants

The Collector and SSP instructed revenue and police officials to jointly conduct verification drives to identify suspected illegal immigrants and monitor their activities. Officials were asked to act promptly on every input and ensure that district security is not compromised.

During the meeting, authorities informed participants that the Chhattisgarh government has launched a dedicated 24x7 toll-free helpline (1800-233-1905) for citizens to report information related to suspected illegal immigrants or suspicious activities.

Officials said the identity of informants would be kept strictly confidential to encourage public participation in maintaining internal security.

Bus Stops Planned Outside City Limits

Traffic congestion caused by buses transporting industrial workers was also discussed during the meeting.

Municipal Corporation officials informed the administration that the movement of employee buses inside the city is adding to traffic pressure. The Collector directed the Municipal Corporation, Revenue Department, Traffic Police and Transport Department to identify suitable locations on the outskirts of the city for developing dedicated bus stops.

The move is expected to reduce congestion in the city's core areas.

Heavy Vehicle Parking by September 30

To improve traffic management, the administration instructed officials to identify designated parking zones for heavy vehicles by September 30.

Locations identified for the proposed parking facilities include Gharghoda Bypass Road, Banjari Temple area, Punjipathra Road, Tamnar, Rani Sagar Chowk in Kharsia, and Girwani Road.

Officials believe that shifting heavy vehicles to organised parking areas outside congested zones will help reduce traffic bottlenecks and lower the risk of road accidents on national highways.

Crackdown on Illegal Parking

The Collector also ordered strict enforcement against illegally parked heavy vehicles along national highways and major roads.

Departments concerned were directed to ensure strict compliance with traffic regulations while accelerating improvement work at identified accident-prone black spots.

Road Safety Campaign Continues

Officials informed the meeting that action against overspeeding vehicles and illegal parking is already underway through the use of interceptor vehicles and speed radar guns.

According to the administration, 3,762 motorists were penalised during the previous year for violating traffic rules.

Authorities also highlighted ongoing initiatives such as joint inspections of accident-prone locations, regular highway patrolling, traffic awareness campaigns in rural areas, street plays, and road safety education programmes in schools.

The district administration said these measures aim to improve road safety, strengthen internal security and ensure better traffic management across Raigarh.