Raipur traffic police and the municipal corporation carried out a joint anti-encroachment drive, removing illegal roadside structures and seizing promotional material from shops.

The Raipur traffic police and municipal corporation have launched a joint action against roadside encroachments, targeting more than 50 shopkeepers who were allegedly occupying roads and footpaths.The drive was conducted on key routes including Kotwali Chowk to Jaistambh Chowk and Lodhipara Chowk to Mandi Gate Road to improve traffic movement and reduce congestion.The action was carried out under the direction of Police Commissioner Dr Sanjeev Shukla and supervision of DCP Traffic Dr Archana Jha, along with the municipal corporation’s enforcement team.

Action taken against roadside encroachments

During the two-day drive from Kotwali Chowk through Malviya Road to Jaistambh Chowk, officials took action against shopkeepers who had placed goods and structures on roads and footpaths.

The team seized:

• 4 roadside carts

• 12 tables

• 15 cloth display stands

• 5 flex boards

• Tarpaulin stands and other materials

A fine of ₹4,000 was also collected during the action.

Three illegal structures removed with bulldozers

On the Lodhipara Chowk to Mandi Gate route, authorities removed three temporary illegal structures built along the roadside using bulldozers.Apart from this, promotional materials placed outside 11 shops were also seized.According to officials, traffic movement improved after the removal of these obstacles and congestion on the route reduced.

Campaign ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi

The anti-encroachment drive has been intensified ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi, when major markets and roads in the city are expected to witness increased public movement.Traffic police have appealed to traders and citizens not to place goods, banners or promotional material on roads, footpaths or dividers.Officials said that joint action by the traffic police and municipal corporation will continue against illegal encroachments across the city.

Students of Shivpur Eklavya Residential School in Surguja walked to the collector’s office to complain about months-long electricity failure, teaching issues and poor hostel conditions. The principal has now been removed and the warden issued a notice.

The principal of Shivpur Eklavya Residential School in Surguja district has been removed after girl students walked several kilometres to meet the collector and raise complaints about basic facilities at the institution.The students had alleged that the school and hostel had been without electricity for nearly three months, along with problems related to teaching and cleanliness in the mess.Following an inquiry ordered by the district administration, Principal Om Narayan Srivastava was removed from the post and attached to the office of the Assistant Commissioner. The hostel warden has also been issued a show-cause notice for alleged negligence.

Students walked to collector’s office

According to officials, around 45 girl students from the residential school decided to approach the collector after repeated complaints allegedly failed to resolve their problems.The students started walking towards Ambikapur, around 30 km away from the school. Teachers accompanied them as a safety measure.When Tribal Assistant Commissioner Lalit Shukla reached Bailkota to speak with the students, they reportedly refused to discuss their issues with him and insisted on meeting the collector directly.After the students had walked around 16 km, arrangements were made to take them to Ambikapur by bus.

Students raised three major complaints

After meeting Collector Ajit Vasant, the students highlighted three key issues:

• Electricity supply in the school and hostel had remained disrupted for around three months

• Problems with teaching, particularly in subjects including mathematics and chemistry

• Poor cleanliness arrangements in the mess

The students also alleged that their earlier complaints to the school principal did not result in corrective action.

Three-member committee submitted inquiry report

The collector had formed a three-member inquiry committee headed by Joint Collector Sharda Agrawal to examine the allegations.The committee spoke with students and staff members and submitted its report to the district administration.Based on the findings, the administration removed the principal from his post. Teacher Pratiksha Tripathi (PGT English) has been given additional responsibility as school principal

.Another teacher, Arvind Ashok Tigga , has been sent back to his original posting at Eklavya School Mainpat.The hostel warden Ayushi Soni has received a show-cause notice over alleged negligence in government duties.The salaries of employees working at Eklavya School Shivpur will now be released only after approval from the collector and district-level committee.

CM orders action against negligence

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed displeasure over the incident and spoke to the collector.The Chief Minister said that students having to walk to raise their concerns was not acceptable and directed officials to identify responsibility and take action against those found negligent.Tribal Welfare Minister Ramvichar Netam has also sought an inquiry report from officials and said that students’ problems would be addressed.The administration has assured that necessary steps will be taken to improve facilities at the school.

Police investigating illegal transport of 23.35 tonnes of khair wood through alleged fake NOC documents have recovered ₹81 lakh cash from the accused’s house in Sarangarh-Bilaigarh district.

Police have recovered ₹81 lakh in cash from the house of an accused linked to an alleged illegal khair (catechu) wood transportation case involving fake NOC documents in Chhattisgarh’s Mahasamund district.The cash was recovered from a house located in Mudpar village of Sarangarh-Bilaigarh district during a search operation. Police said the amount is suspected to be proceeds of crime and action has been initiated for its attachment.The accused, identified as Manish Agrawal, was earlier arrested in connection with the case from Raigarh.

Case linked to illegal transport of 23.35 tonnes of khair wood

According to police, a case was registered following a complaint by the Forest Range Officer, Pithora, regarding the alleged illegal transportation of 23,350 kg of khair wood.Investigators alleged that fake NTPS NOC documents were prepared and used as genuine documents for transporting the wood.A case was registered at Pithora police station, and further investigation was started.

₹81 lakh found in bag during house search

During the investigation, police obtained a search warrant from the court to inspect the accused’s house in Mudpar village.Police conducted the search on September 7, 2026, in the presence of the caretaker and witnesses.According to police, a bag recovered during the search contained 162 bundles of ₹500 currency notes.

The total amount was calculated as:

• 16,200 currency notes

• ₹81 lakh total cash

The entire amount was seized during the operation.

Multiple charges registered

Police said the case has been registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Arms Act and the Indian Forest Act.The investigation is continuing to identify other possible links in the alleged illegal wood transportation network.

Police seek attachment of seized money

Police said the recovered cash is being treated as property allegedly acquired through criminal activity.An application has reportedly been submitted before the court under Section 107 of the BNSS for attachment proceedings, which would prevent the accused from using the seized amount.Further action will depend on the investigation and court proceedings.

Passenger bus operators in Chhattisgarh have warned of a statewide strike from September 22, demanding a revision in fares and action on other long-pending issues.

 Passenger bus services across Chhattisgarh may come to a halt from September 22 as the state’s bus operators have warned of a statewide strike over their demand for a fare hike and other pending issues.The Chhattisgarh Transport Federation (Chhattisgarh Yatayat Mahasangh) has said that if their demands are not addressed soon, passenger buses will stop operating across the state.Bus operators claim that rising diesel prices and increasing operational costs have made it difficult to run services at the existing fare rates.

Operators say fare hike proposal pending for four months

Federation president Anwar Ali said that bus operators have been raising their concerns before the government and the Transport Department for a long time, but no concrete decision has been taken.According to the federation, a proposal seeking a revision in passenger bus fares was submitted to the Transport Department around four months ago. However, the operators claim that no decision has been taken so far.The federation also alleged that there has been no meeting between transport officials and bus operators for nearly three years.

Nine-point demand submitted

Apart from the fare hike, bus operators have placed a nine-point demand charter before the government.

Their major demands include:

• Increase in passenger bus fares due to rising fuel and operational costs

• Implementation of single tax on single sleeper seats

• Restriction on operation of e-buses within city limits

• Action against All India Tourist Permit buses operating from rural areas and bus stands

• Proper gap between buses under stage carriage time schedules

• Reduction in VLTD device renewal charges

• Provision for manual fitness certification of buses

• Simplification of approval process for operating buses in other districts and states

• Online permit facility for all buses

Strike may affect daily commuters

If the strike takes place, thousands of passengers who depend on buses for daily travel may face difficulties.The state government and the Transport Department are yet to announce any decision on the operators’ warning. The next step will depend on discussions between the government and the bus operators’ federation.

Rainfall activity has reduced in Chhattisgarh for now, but weather conditions may change in the next two to three days as a low-pressure area is likely to develop over the Bay of Bengal.

Weather conditions in Chhattisgarh are expected to change in the next two to three days, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting an increase in rainfall activity from September 10.According to the weather department, a low-pressure area is likely to form over the west-central and northwest Bay of Bengal around September 11. The system may influence weather patterns in Chhattisgarh and bring rainfall to several parts of the state.At present, monsoon activity remains weak across the state. However, scattered light rainfall has been reported in some areas during the last 24 hours.

Light rain recorded in some districts

During the previous 24 hours, Dharamjaigarh in Raigarh district recorded around 10 mm rainfall, while most other areas received light or very light showers.The highest temperature in the state was recorded in Rajnandgaon at 34.5°C. The lowest temperature was recorded at Pendra Road and Durg at 21.4°C.

Raipur weather forecast

In Raipur, the sky is expected to remain generally cloudy on September 9. The city may witness one or two spells of rain or thundershowers during the day.The maximum temperature in Raipur is likely to remain around 33°C, while the minimum temperature may stay near 26°C.

Chhattisgarh rainfall remains 6% below normal

The state has received around 952.2 mm (37.5 inches) rainfall between June 1 and September 8, against the normal rainfall of 1008.2 mm (39.7 inches) during the same period.This means rainfall in Chhattisgarh is currently around 6% below normal, which falls under the normal category as per weather department classification.However, rainfall distribution across districts has remained uneven.Out of the state’s 33 districts, around 18 districts have recorded below-normal rainfall, while 15 districts have received normal or above-normal rainfall.

Balrampur records highest surplus rainfall

Balrampur district has received the highest rainfall surplus so far. The district recorded 1442.3 mm rainfall, compared to the normal 864.1 mm, marking a 67% increase above normal.

Other districts with above-average rainfall include:

• Sarangarh-Bilaigarh: 35% above normal

• Mungeli: 26% above normal

• Raipur: 18% above normal

• Balodabazar and Narayanpur: 17% above normal

Bemetara faces biggest rainfall deficit

Bemetara has recorded the highest rainfall deficit in the state.The district received 540.4 mm rainfall against the normal 926.2 mm, resulting in a 42% shortage.

Other districts facing significant rainfall deficiency include:

• Kanker: 39% below normal

• Surguja: 39% below normal

• Jashpur: 35% below normal

• Kabirdham and Kondagaon: 22% below normal

The impact of the upcoming Bay of Bengal weather system will determine whether the rainfall deficit improves in the coming days.

The Chhattisgarh government on Tuesday carried out a significant bureaucratic overhaul, transferring 43 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers in a single order. The late-evening directive from the state’s General Administration Department has led to a change in collectors for several key districts while reassigning top officials across crucial portfolios like energy, finance, home, and health.

The reshuffle is being seen as one of the largest administrative rejigs by the state in recent months.

New roles for senior officers

Among the prominent moves, senior bureaucrat Niharika Barik has been given the charge of the Home and Jail departments. Barik, who previously held key positions in the women and child development sector, will now oversee internal security and prison administration. Her appointment comes at a time when the state is focusing on prison reforms and tackling left-wing extremism in Bastar region.

The government also moved several other senior secretaries. The energy and panchayat departments have received new faces, along with the agriculture and public works divisions.

Collectors changed in multiple districts

District administrations in at least half a dozen districts will see new collectors taking over within the next week. According to officials familiar with the matter, the collectors of districts including Balod, Bemetara, and Korea have been shifted.

While an official list released late Tuesday night did not immediately specify all posting details, sources said the changes aim to improve service delivery and accelerate infrastructure projects ahead of the next financial year.

A routine exercise or a signal?

Administrative sources described the transfers as "routine" but noted the scale. One official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “Moving over 40 officers in one go is not small. It clears the deck for fresh priorities, especially in districts where development indicators have been lagging.”

The timing has also prompted speculation within the secretariat corridors in Raipur. Some see it as a push to strengthen the state’s revenue and law-and-order machinery ahead of upcoming festivals and local body polls.

Impact on ground-level governance

For citizens, the reshuffle means new district collectors in several areas — often bringing changes in land records, grievance redressal systems, and local development schemes. In previous such moves, new collectors have typically held review meetings within the first fortnight. Officials expect a similar pattern this time as well.

The government has not yet released a detailed list of postings for all 43 officers, but department officials confirmed that joining orders have been issued. Most officers are expected to assume charge by the end of this week.

What happens next?

The General Administration Department has asked all transferring officers to hand over charge immediately. The state is likely to issue another order in the coming days to fill remaining vacancies created by these moves. For now, officers like Niharika Barik prepare to settle into their new roles — with the Home and Jail department now squarely under her watch.