UP: CM Asks Officials to Ensure Social Welfare and Road Safety Arrangements Amid Cold Weather

On Wednesday, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath issued a set of orders to the top administrative officers to make sure the social welfare and road-safety measures in the state are in place in spite of dense fog and cold wave-like weather.

The instructions come after scenes of homeless individuals struggling to deal with cold weather conditions and a chain of road accidents involving mists around the state on Tuesday which killed 25 people and injured 59. The most tragic event was observed on Yamuna Expressway in Mathra where a mass crush of vehicles in heavy fog due to an obstruction became a hell and at least 13 people were killed.

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In an official statement, the chief minister has ordered divisional commissioners, inspectors general of police, district magistrates, police and traffic authorities to remain on high alert in times of smoggy weather and advise adequate road-safety in place.

He has stressed that constant monitoring of street lights should also be carried out and he has directed that all broken lighting should be immediately repaired to avoid accidents.

The CM instructed the officials to have meetings with NHAI and state highway authorities to facilitate arrangements. He requested the reinforcement of patrolling in the expressways, the use of teams at each black spot and take the necessary corrective actions such as installing reflectors on highways and roads.

The chief minister also instructed cranes and ambulances to be stationed 24 hours round the clock on expressways and use loudspeakers to alert drivers on the presence of fog. The statement has been added that stiff action has been taken against the overspeeding on the fog.

In a call to bring into the limelight of attention welfare considerations in the cold weather, the chief minister ordered that no individual is to be found sleeping in the air and that frequent visits be conducted.

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He instructed authorities to ensure that the homeless have enough provisions such as enough bonfires, heaters and blankets and that night shelters should be regularly checked and well managed.

It was stated that even cattle have been ordered special attention, and that it is essential to make sure that they are not exposed to cold in gaushalas, and that bonfires are to be arranged.

Authorities have been advised to offer any relief and support that they could give to the poor and needy, and to transport homeless individuals to night shelters when necessary.

In the meantime, the administration has issued a travel advisory to safe movement in fogdy weather. The guidelines urge motorists to ensure that they drive at a low speed that is below the stipulated limits, employ fog lights and low beam headlights, use emergency indicators, maintain a good distance between vehicles, do not make frequent lane changes and overtaking on the expressways and avoid travelling when fog is very heavy.

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