Collector-SSP Warn Against Road Safety Violations; FIRs to Be Filed in Drunk Driving Cases, Strict Orders Issued
Bilaspur, June 12, 2026: In a bid to curb road accidents and ensure safer travel for citizens, Bilaspur Collector Sanjay Agrawal and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rajnesh Singh chaired a meeting of the District Road Safety Committee on Friday. The meeting reviewed road safety measures across national highways, state highways, and rural roads, with a focus on accident prevention and compliance with Supreme Court guidelines.
Addressing officials, Collector Agrawal said road safety remains one of the administration’s top priorities and that negligence in this regard would not be tolerated. He highlighted that illegally parked trucks and heavy vehicles along highways are a major cause of accidents. Referring to Supreme Court directives, he instructed authorities to ensure that vehicles are parked only at designated parking areas and lay-bys. Vehicle owners and drivers will initially be warned, followed by strict enforcement against repeat violators.
The Collector also expressed concern over roadside dhabas and hotels contributing to illegal parking. He directed such establishments to develop adequate parking facilities and suggested that private landowners could be involved, with consent, to create additional parking spaces. Officials were also asked to survey government land along roads for potential parking development and deploy personnel to guide vehicle parking.
With the monsoon season approaching, Agrawal instructed departments to take preventive measures to manage stray cattle on roads, a key factor in accidents during the rainy season. He directed authorities to prepare gauthans, cattle shelters, and other facilities with proper sanitation, lighting, fodder, and water arrangements. Patrolling teams and flying squads were also asked to intensify monitoring and take action against unauthorized roadside establishments.
SSP Rajnesh Singh stated that all Supreme Court guidelines related to road safety would be implemented strictly across the district. While noting a decline in road accidents this year, he said there was still considerable scope for improvement. According to official data, 151 people lost their lives in road accidents in Bilaspur district during the last six months.
The SSP identified Ratanpur, Takhatpur, and Masturi police station areas as accident-prone zones, recording the highest number of crashes and fatalities. He reviewed police station-wise accident data and directed concerned departments to take corrective measures based on the causes identified.
Singh further noted that drunk driving has emerged as a major contributor to road accidents. He instructed officials to not only issue challans but also register FIRs in serious cases where required. He also raised concerns about heavy vehicles using rural roads to avoid paying toll taxes, leading to road damage and increased accident risks. Authorities have been directed to identify and act against such vehicles.
The meeting was attended by Municipal Corporation Commissioner Prakash Sarve, District Panchayat CEO Sandeep Agrawal, SDMs, SDOPs, Station House Officers, and officials from NHAI, Transport, Veterinary Services, and other departments. Participants resolved to strengthen coordination among agencies and work collectively toward making Bilaspur a safer and accident-free district.
