Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday warned of strict and swift action against elements attempting to disrupt law and order during New Year celebrations, reiterating the state government’s zero-tolerance policy towards criminal activities.
Chairing a high-level meeting at the Secretariat to review traffic management, tourist safety and public order arrangements for the New Year period, the Chief Minister directed officials to maintain heightened vigilance across the state from Tuesday till January 5, 2026. He stressed that special focus should be placed on traffic management to ensure that the large influx of tourists and visitors does not face inconvenience.
The Chief Minister instructed the police to conduct regular night patrols and asked senior officers to personally inspect sensitive areas to monitor arrangements on the ground. He directed that robust security measures be put in place at major tourist destinations, crowded areas and high-traffic zones across all districts. Adequate parking facilities, basic amenities and road safety measures were also to be ensured.
Emphasising strict enforcement, CM Dhami directed authorities to keep a close watch on drunk driving and ordered the deployment of additional security personnel around liquor outlets. At the same time, he cautioned officials against unnecessary harassment of the general public and tourists during checking operations.
Taking a firm stance on urban encroachments, the Chief Minister instructed that illegal encroachments on roads in Dehradun and other cities be removed on a priority basis. He directed the formation of joint teams comprising the district administration, municipal corporations, police, transport department and development authorities to carry out continuous action. He also ordered comprehensive checks of fire safety and other essential arrangements in hotels and resorts, particularly in crowded areas.
ALSO READ: Gorakhpur Sees Record Industrial Growth In 2025; Land Allotment, Investments Hit New High
In view of the winter pilgrimage season, CM Dhami directed officials to ensure smooth arrangements for the winter yatra, including the setting up of information centres for tourists, adequate street lighting and bonfire facilities. He also called for strengthening sanitation arrangements and launching a statewide campaign to make Uttarakhand plastic-free, with the active participation of social, religious and political organisations, as well as the general public.
Senior officials, including Monitoring Development Council Vice Chairman Vishwas Dabar, Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan and Director General of Police Deepam Seth, were present at the meeting.