Vehicular movement during the night has been completely prohibited along National Highway-130C, which passes through the Udanti-Sitanadi Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve area in Gariaband. Acting on directives issued by the High Court, the sanctuary administration enforced the entry ban at the Indagaon and Taurenga checkposts. Under the newly implemented regulation, no general vehicle will be permitted to pass through this forest corridor between 6 PM in the evening and 6 AM the following morning.
Night exemptions revoked for buses and private cars
According to sanctuary officials, heavy commercial vehicles had already been barred from operating at night along this stretch for nearly a year following an earlier High Court ruling. Previously, however, passenger buses and private light vehicles enjoyed an exemption that allowed them to transit during nocturnal hours. That exemption has now been completely revoked, bringing private four-wheelers, passenger buses, and all other passenger transport under the twelve-hour night travel ban.
Disruption on Raipur-Deobhog route as queues form at checkpoints
The night closure directly impacts travelers moving between Raipur and Deobhog. Commuters and scheduled passenger buses departing after 6 PM face sudden halts and route changes. As soon as the barrier was dropped at the Torenga post, long queues of stranded vehicles formed, leaving travelers stranded on the highway. Drivers who must travel overnight are now compelled to take alternate detours.
Wildlife protection measures and digital camera monitoring
Udanti-Sitanadi sanctuary management stated that the road closure is aimed at giving wildlife unrestricted movement across forest corridors and curbing human-animal conflict in accordance with judicial orders. To prevent unauthorized passage or friction at the checkpoints, continuous digital surveillance has been instituted at both Indagaon and Taurenga, with live online monitoring underway. Officials emphasized that regular traffic remains completely halted, with passage granted solely for genuine medical emergencies and life-critical rescue situations.
