Garhwa: With Dussehra and Durga Puja celebrations gather momentum across district, the district administration has stepped up its vigilance and enforcement measures, adopting a comprehensive approach to maintaining law and order, ensuring public safety and curbing unlawful activities. With large numbers of devotees expected to visit puja pandals and participate in religious festivities, the administration is focusing on strengthening security arrangements, regulating vehicular movement, preventing the manufacture and sale of illicit liquor, and protecting public and forest land from alleged illegal exploitation.
The intensified drive reflects a coordinated administrative effort to address both immediate festive requirements and broader concerns relating to law enforcement, environmental protection and public accountability. While the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police have reviewed security arrangements and essential facilities at puja pandals, special traffic restrictions have been introduced to ease congestion and facilitate the safe movement of devotees. Simultaneously, the Excise Department has intensified its crackdown on illicit liquor production, while allegations of illegal sand stockpiling and tree felling on forest land in Dhurki have prompted directions for a formal investigation.
Together, these measures underscore the district administration’s resolve to ensure that the festive period passes in a peaceful, secure and orderly atmosphere, while reinforcing the principle that public safety, compliance with the law and the protection of natural resources remain essential responsibilities of governance. The administration has also called for public cooperation, stressing that effective coordination between officials, law enforcement agencies, local communities and festival organisers will be crucial to ensuring smooth celebrations across the district.
DC and SP Review Security at Puja Pandals
DC Pashupati Nath Mishra and Superintendent of Police Ashutosh Shekhar jointly inspected several puja pandals in town on October 16, reviewing security arrangements and facilities for devotees.
During the inspection, the officials assessed crowd management, volunteer deployment, fire safety, electrical installations, sanitation and the arrangements for the smooth movement of visitors. Particular attention was given to entry and exit routes and separate movement arrangements for male and female devotees to minimise congestion and prevent inconvenience.
He directed the concerned departments to ensure that all essential arrangements were completed and that safety remained the foremost priority. He stressed the need for close coordination among administrative and police officials, along with heightened vigilance at crowded locations.
The inspection also covered preparations at Ram Bandh Pond, designated for idol immersion. The Deputy Commissioner instructed officials to expedite cleaning and complete all necessary arrangements at the site to facilitate safe and orderly immersion ceremonies.
Extending his greetings to the people of Garhwa, Mishra appealed to residents to celebrate Dussehra and Durga Puja with mutual respect, brotherhood and communal harmony.
Special Traffic Plan to Ease Festive Congestion
In anticipation of increased movement of devotees, the administration has implemented a special traffic management plan from October 16 to 21. Private vehicle entry into Garhwa’s urban area will be restricted daily from 5 am to 1 pm and from 4 pm to 1 am the following day. Heavy vehicles will be barred from entering the town from 4 pm on October 16 through October 21, while small goods vehicles will be allowed entry only between 1 am and 4 am during the restriction period.
To prevent bottlenecks on major roads, designated stopping points have been established for buses and other vehicles arriving from different directions.
Buses from Meral will stop near Kalyanpur Overbridge, while private vehicles from that direction may proceed up to Town Hall Ground. Vehicles arriving from Ranka and Shahpur will be directed towards Narayanpur Overbridge and Tandwa Bus Stand, depending on the vehicle category. Vehicles from Majhiaon will be restricted to Karbala Ground, while smaller vehicles from Rehla may proceed up to Garhwa Bus Stand.
Buses and heavy vehicles from Palamu will be restricted to Hoor More, with designated access arrangements for buses travelling to Garhwa Bus Stand. Vehicles arriving from Chinia will have to stop near Kalyanpur Overbridge. Movement between Majhiaon More and Ranka More will also remain restricted.
Karbala Ground, Town Hall Ground and Tandwa Chowk have been designated as authorised auto-rickshaw stands. The administration has appealed to motorists and transport operators to comply with the prescribed restrictions and avoid unauthorised parking to ensure uninterrupted movement around puja pandals.
Excise Raids Yield 210 Litres of Illicit Liquor
Alongside festive security arrangements, the administration has intensified action against illegal liquor manufacturing and trade. Acting on the directions of the Deputy Commissioner and under the supervision of Superintendent of Excise Sanjit Dev, an Excise Department team raided suspected illicit liquor production centres at Loka village under Bardiha police station and Dubey Tal under Majhiaon police station on October 16. The operation resulted in the seizure of approximately 210 litres of illicit distilled mahua liquor and 2,000 kilograms of fermented mahua, locally known as java mahua, used in liquor production.
The individuals allegedly involved in the illegal activities were found absconding during the raids. Cases have been registered against them under the relevant provisions of the Excise Act, and further legal proceedings are underway. The district administration has directed the concerned departments to maintain heightened vigilance throughout the festive period and take appropriate action against the manufacture, storage and sale of illicit liquor.
Forest Land Allegations Prompt Probe in Dhurki
In another significant development, the district administration has ordered an investigation into allegations of illegal sand stockpiling and tree felling on forest land in Dhurki block.
DC Mishra has directed the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), North Forest Division, to conduct a detailed investigation and initiate appropriate legal action wherever violations are established.
According to a complaint received by the administration, sand allegedly extracted from different stretches of the Kanhar River was being stored on forest land after trees were cut and the ground levelled using JCBs and loaders. The complaint further alleges that approximately ₹2 lakh was collected to facilitate the use of forest land for illegal sand storage and raises questions about the alleged involvement of certain local forest department personnel.
The allegations, including those concerning extortion and official complicity, have yet to be established and remain subject to investigation. The complainant reportedly submitted videos and GPS-tagged photographs as supporting evidence. A district-level inspection team constituted by the administration also found substantial quantities of sand stored in the area concerned.
The complaint has additionally raised environmental concerns, alleging that tree felling and destruction of natural habitats could force wild animals towards nearby villages, increasing the risk of damage to agricultural crops and threats to residents.
Taking note of the seriousness of the matter, the Deputy Commissioner has instructed the DFO to establish the facts, identify those responsible and initiate proceedings against anyone whose involvement is substantiated. An action-taken report has been sought within one week.
Coordinated Action to Safeguard Public Interest
The administration’s simultaneous focus on festive security, traffic regulation, illicit liquor enforcement and the protection of forest land underscores its effort to address public safety and governance concerns on multiple fronts.
Residents, devotees and transport operators have been urged to cooperate with the authorities, follow traffic instructions and report unlawful activities. The administration has reiterated that maintaining peace, ensuring safe public movement and protecting natural resources remain key priorities during the festive season.