Collector Shivam Verma Directs Departments to Improve Road Infrastructure; Free Parking Trial Planned at Five Locations

(SDNA) Indore, October 13, 2026: The Indore district administration is stepping up efforts to improve traffic movement and road safety, with a focus on accelerating construction projects, upgrading busy intersections, addressing accident-prone locations and improving parking management.

The decisions were taken at a meeting of the District Road Safety Committee chaired by Collector Shivam Verma at the Collector’s Office. Traffic DCP Rajesh Tripathi, Additional Collector Navjeevan Vijay Pawar and officials from the concerned departments attended the meeting.

Road Construction and Public Safety Take Priority

The Collector directed construction agencies to expedite road, bridge and overbridge projects while ensuring that commuters face minimum inconvenience. Properly maintained diversions and service roads, adequate lighting and essential safety arrangements at construction sites were identified as priorities.

Pending patchwork and blacktopping activities are also to be completed promptly. Officials were instructed to finish junction and road improvement works within the stipulated timelines and continue widening left-turn lanes wherever required.

Accident-Prone Locations Under Review

The committee reviewed identified accident-prone locations, commonly known as black spots, and discussed measures to reduce road accidents. The administration will assess accident patterns at locations where improvements have already been undertaken and obtain field reports from the concerned Sub-Divisional Magistrates wherever necessary.

Based on the findings, measures such as rumble strips, speed breakers and other road-safety interventions may be introduced.

The Collector also stressed pedestrian safety, safer road crossings and stricter enforcement against overspeeding. Speed-monitoring cameras are being pursued with support from the Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS). Helmet use among two-wheeler riders and seat-belt compliance among car occupants will also be enforced.

Five Locations to Undergo Free Parking Trial

To address traffic congestion caused by indiscriminate roadside parking, the administration is considering a paid parking system. A total of 24 potential locations have been identified.

Of these, five locations will undergo a pilot trial of approximately 10 days, during which parking will be free of charge. Public feedback and the results of the trial will help determine the next course of action.

E-Rickshaw Operations on Major Roads to Be Reviewed

The committee also discussed traffic disruptions associated with e-rickshaw movement on major roads. The administration will first consult representatives of e-rickshaw associations before taking further steps in accordance with applicable rules.

The Collector emphasized that reducing public inconvenience during construction, maintaining smooth traffic flow and preventing road accidents require coordinated action by all concerned departments.

2. (SDNA) Indore Records 22.87% Growth in Excise Revenue, Enforcement Against Illegal Liquor to Intensify

District Earns ₹1,175.47 Crore Between April and September; Action Taken in 4,173 Illegal Liquor Cases

(SDNA) Indore, October 13, 2026: The Indore district administration has directed the Excise Department to strengthen surveillance and enforcement against the illegal manufacture, transportation, sale and storage of liquor. Alongside achieving revenue targets, officials have been instructed to take strict action against violations of excise regulations.

The directions were issued by Collector Shivam Verma during a departmental review meeting attended by Assistant Excise Commissioner Abhishek Tiwari and other officials.

Excise Revenue Rises During First Half of Financial Year

According to departmental figures, Indore generated excise revenue of ₹1,175,47,84,187 between April and September of the 2026–27 financial year. Revenue during the corresponding period of the previous financial year stood at ₹956,66,68,600, representing an increase of 22.87%.

Against the annual revenue target of ₹2,431.07 crore, the district had achieved 48.35% by the end of September.

Inspections Cover 173 Liquor Outlets

Between April 1 and September 30, officials inspected 173 composite liquor shops and registered 3,137 departmental cases involving irregularities.

Of these, 2,354 cases were reportedly resolved, resulting in penalties amounting to ₹33,24,250.

Authorities also registered 37 cases involving liquor sales below the prescribed minimum retail price or above the maximum permitted price. Penalties of ₹92,23,079 were imposed in 26 cases, while proceedings to impose an additional ₹25,08,257 in penalties in the remaining 11 cases were reported as pending.

The department stated that penalties totalling ₹1,25,47,329 had been imposed across 2,380 cases, including general violations and resolved pricing-related cases.

Seizures Worth Over ₹4.39 Crore

Between April 1 and October 12, 2026, the department took action in 4,173 cases involving illegal liquor.

The operation resulted in the seizure of 34,275 litres of illegal liquor and 76,071 kilograms of mahua lahan, a fermented material used in illicit liquor production. Their estimated value was ₹2,66,65,458.

Officials also seized 98 vehicles valued at approximately ₹1,72,53,900. The combined estimated value of the liquor, vehicles and other seized materials was ₹4,39,19,358.

Collector Verma instructed officials to maintain continuous vigilance against illegal liquor networks and ensure stringent action in accordance with the law.

Editorial verification note: The reported case figures require reconciliation before publication. The stated 3,137 cases minus 2,354 resolved cases leaves 783 cases, not 746. The department should also confirm the relationship between the individual penalty figures and the reported total.

3. (SDNA) Indore Intensifies Food Safety Inspections, Collects Samples from Multiple Establishments

Twenty Samples Reportedly Collected on October 12–13; Inspections Identify Hygiene and Documentation Gaps

(SDNA) Indore, October 13, 2026: The Food Safety Administration has intensified inspections of food establishments across Indore to improve food quality, hygiene and consumer protection. During inspections conducted on October 12 and 13, officials collected samples for laboratory testing and identified several establishments requiring corrective action.

The campaign was conducted under the guidance of Collector Shivam Verma and the directions of the Food Safety Department. Samples are being sent to the State Food Testing Laboratory in Bhopal for examination.

Inspections Triggered by Consumer Complaints

The Curry Kitchen, Scheme No. 78: Inspectors found food items stored uncovered, inadequate tagging of prepared food and uncovered dustbins. Medical fitness certificates for employees and a water-testing report were also unavailable. Samples of pigeon pea lentils, flour, refined flour, laung sev and gulab jamun were collected. The process of issuing a notice has been initiated.

Zepto Store, Silicon City: The inspection followed a complaint about allegedly spoiled dates sold under the Crimea brand. The specific brand and batch number mentioned in the complaint were not available at the store during the inspection. Officials reported that no expired food items were found among the products available for examination.

Three Jhannt Kachori and Jhannt Kachori Centre: A total of five samples, including kachori, chilli, refined flour and soybean oil, were collected from the two establishments.

Jai Shri Jagdishwar Namkeen, Sweets and Dairy, Dwarkapuri: Samples of malai barfi and milk cake were collected. Inspectors found that food-testing reports, water-quality reports and employee medical fitness certificates were unavailable. Corrective-action proceedings are being initiated.

Love You Pizza and Sandwich, Patnipura Square: Following a complaint, officials inspected the outlet and its momo preparation site. Samples of paneer and refined flour were collected from the preparation site, while a sample of steamed vegetable momos was taken from the outlet. Three samples in total are being sent for testing.

Swinysta ENT Private Limited, Nipania: Inspectors reported several shortcomings, including the absence of designated responsible personnel listed on the licence, missing employee medical fitness certificates, a deep freezer with a non-functional temperature display and the joint storage of food and non-food materials. A sample of Silver Coin brand flour was collected, and the process of issuing a notice has begun.

Mobile Laboratory Conducts Food Safety Training

The department’s mobile food-testing laboratory, Food Safety on Wheels, conducted an awareness and training session for food business operators and employees at Momo’s Hub and Christian Element in Indore.

The session covered possible adulteration in spices, food colours and silver leaf, along with personal hygiene, the use of caps, gloves and aprons, and appropriate food-storage practices.

Participants were advised to check manufacturing and expiry dates, FSSAI licence numbers and ingredient information before purchasing food products.

Additional Inspections on October 12

Officials also collected four samples of potato chips, mixture namkeen and palm oil from Mamta Foods and RKS Radhika Wafers, Namkeen and Sweets in Nawada Panth.

Both establishments were found to have deficiencies relating to documentation, water-testing reports and employee medical fitness certificates. Corrective-action notices are being processed.

According to the department, four samples were collected on October 12 and 16 on October 13. Laboratory findings will determine the further course of action under applicable food safety regulations.

Editorial verification note: The reported total of 20 samples matches the daily totals, but the establishment-wise sample counts listed for October 13 appear to add up to a different figure. Confirm the individual counts with the department before publication.

4. (SDNA) Indore Adopts Three-Pronged Strategy for a Drug-Free District

NCORD Committee Reviews Action Against Illegal Trade, Rehabilitation Services and Awareness Campaigns for Young People

(SDNA) Indore, October 13, 2026: The Indore administration is pursuing a three-pronged approach to tackle substance abuse, combining enforcement against illegal trade with rehabilitation services and preventive awareness campaigns.

The strategy was reviewed at a meeting of the Narcotics Coordination (NCORD) Committee chaired by Collector Shivam Verma. Officials from the police, excise and other concerned departments attended the meeting and presented details of their ongoing activities.

First Priority: Crack Down on Illegal Trade

The Collector directed departments to strengthen action against the illegal manufacture, transportation and sale of liquor and other prohibited narcotic substances. Regular surveillance, coordinated enforcement and closer interdepartmental cooperation were emphasized.

Second Priority: Treatment and Rehabilitation

The administration also stressed the need to provide treatment, guidance and rehabilitation to people affected by substance dependence.

Rehabilitation centres are expected to play an important role in helping affected individuals recover and reintegrate into society.

Third Priority: Preventing Substance Abuse Among Youth

Awareness campaigns aimed at young people and other vulnerable groups will focus on the harmful consequences of substance abuse. The objective is to strengthen prevention and encourage informed choices before addiction develops.

Collector Verma emphasized that legal enforcement alone cannot create a drug-free society. Prevention, treatment and rehabilitation must receive equal attention.

The meeting concluded with an emphasis on regular reviews and coordinated action to make all three components of the district’s strategy more effective.

5. (SDNA) Indore Issues One-Month Compliance Deadline to 38 Hospitals Over HFR-HPR Registration

Hospitals That Fail to Complete Digital Health Registry Registration May Face Cancellation Proceedings

(SDNA) Indore, October 13, 2026: The Indore district administration is preparing to issue one-month notices to 38 hospitals that have not completed the mandatory HFR-HPR registration process under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. Hospitals that fail to comply within the stipulated period may face action, including possible cancellation of their registration.

The action follows earlier directions issued by Collector Shivam Verma asking hospitals to complete the process. Authorities had previously sent reminders and instructed 58 hospitals to create their HFR-HPR IDs within three days. However, 38 hospitals reportedly remained non-compliant after the deadline.

Digital Registries to Strengthen Healthcare Records

Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr. Madhav Prasad Hasani explained that the Health Facility Registry (HFR) records healthcare institutions, while the Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR) maintains registration details of eligible healthcare professionals.

The registries are intended to establish organized digital records of healthcare facilities and service providers and strengthen the digital delivery of healthcare services.

Legal Action for Continued Non-Compliance

Hospitals that fail to follow the directions may face action under the Madhya Pradesh Upcharyagriha Tatha Rujopchar Sambandhi Sthapanaye (Registrikaran Tatha Anugyapan) Adhiniyam, 1973, and the Rules of 1997, as amended in 2021.

The administration has indicated that the latest notices are intended to provide a final opportunity for compliance before further action is considered.

6. (SDNA) Indore Zila Panchayat Tightens Oversight of Development Projects, Warns Negligent Contractors of Blacklisting

16th Finance Commission Action Plan Approved; Rural Roads, Drinking Water and School Safety Among Key Priorities

(SDNA) Indore, October 13, 2026: The Indore Zila Panchayat has directed officials to take strict action against contractors responsible for delays in rural development projects, including possible blacklisting and forfeiture of security deposits.

The directions were issued during a general body meeting chaired by Zila Panchayat President Reena Satish Malviya. Chief Executive Officer Himanshu Prajapati, Member of Parliament Shankar Lalwani, representatives of legislators and Zila Panchayat members attended the meeting.

The proposed action plan under the 16th Finance Commission was also approved, with a focus on sanitation and drinking water infrastructure in rural areas.

Sanitation and Drinking Water Receive Priority

The approved plan emphasizes solid and liquid waste management and measures to ensure access to safe drinking water at the household level in rural communities.

Delayed Projects Under Scrutiny

Members expressed dissatisfaction over the absence of the Public Works Department’s executive engineer. Officials were instructed to arrange a separate review meeting to examine the department’s projects.

Taking a firm position on long-pending and incomplete works, the meeting directed authorities to consider blacklisting contractors who repeatedly fail to meet deadlines or demonstrate negligence. Forfeiture of their security deposits was also ordered to be pursued as appropriate.

Rural Road Quality Under Review

Projects under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, including ongoing works and newly approved projects, were reviewed. Officials were directed to ensure that roads are completed within prescribed timelines and comply with applicable quality standards.

Farmers to Receive Guidance on Low-Water Crops

Agriculture department field staff were instructed to visit villages regularly and provide technical guidance to farmers on cultivating crops that require less water. The initiative aims to encourage efficient use of available water resources.

Deficiencies in Tap Water Schemes to Be Addressed

Officials reviewed the status of rural tap-water schemes and were directed to resolve technical deficiencies promptly. Alternative arrangements were also emphasized to maintain drinking water availability wherever necessary.

Immediate Relocation Ordered for Unsafe School Building

During the education review, concerns were raised about the dilapidated condition of the government school building in Med village.

Considering the safety of students, officials were directed to shift the school immediately to a suitable and safe location.

The meeting emphasized timely implementation, construction quality and accountability across departments to ensure that development projects deliver their intended benefits to rural communities.

7. (SDNA) Madhya Pradesh Launches Special Voter Registration Drive, Eligible Citizens Can Apply Through Form 6

Chief Electoral Officer Meets Recognized Political Parties; Booth-Level Agents Asked to Help Update Electoral Rolls

(SDNA) Indore, October 13, 2026: Madhya Pradesh is conducting a special drive across all districts to update electoral rolls and register eligible citizens whose names have not yet been included in the voter list.

The initiative was reviewed at a meeting chaired by Chief Electoral Officer Sanjeev Kumar Jha, attended by representatives of recognized political parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party, Bharatiya Janata Party, Indian National Congress, Communist Party of India and Bahujan Samaj Party.

Political Parties Asked to Support the Drive

The Chief Electoral Officer urged political parties to mobilize their Booth-Level Agents (BLAs) to assist with the electoral roll updating process.

The objective is to identify eligible citizens who are missing from the voter list and help them complete the required registration formalities.

Form 6 for New Voter Registration

Citizens eligible to register as first-time voters can apply using Form 6 and provide the information and documents required under the applicable procedure.

The meeting also clarified that applicants are not required to submit a separate declaration after filing Form 6, according to the information shared by the election office.

Assistance Available at District and Tehsil Levels

Guidance on the registration process will be available through the election administration at different levels. Citizens can approach the concerned Sub-Divisional Magistrate or Tehsildar at the tehsil level, or the District Election Officer at the district level, for assistance.

Joint Chief Electoral Officer R.P.S. Jadon and Deputy Chief Electoral Officers Sanjay Shrivastava, Rajesh Yadav and Virendra Singh were also present at the meeting.

The election office appealed to eligible citizens and political party representatives to participate in the campaign to help ensure that all qualified voters are included in the electoral rolls.

Editorial note for SDNA: Before publication, verify the excise case totals and the establishment-wise food sample counts against the original departmental records. The voter registration procedure and the stated legal consequences for hospitals should also be checked against the latest official notifications.