Rajkot: Rajkot district authorities have registered the first FIR against those responsible for illegally cutting highway dividers as part of a crackdown aimed at improving road safety and reducing accidents. The complaint, filed at Atkot Police Station, alleges damage of ₹60,000 to government property and names an unidentified accused.

The action follows a review by the District Road Safety Committee, chaired by Rajkot Collector Prabhav Joshi, which identified unauthorized openings in highway dividers as a key factor contributing to accidents.

Rajkot SP Vijaysinh Gurjar said 172 people lost their lives in road accidents across the district in 2025, with most fatalities occurring on state and national highways. Joint inspections by the police, Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department, and National Highway Authority officials found several illegally cut dividers near petrol pumps, hotels, and other commercial establishments.

A district-wide survey identified 32 illegal divider cuts across five national highways. According to officials, 10 such openings were found on the Rajkot-Porbandar-Somnath Highway, 16 on the Rajkot-Jamnagar Highway, seven on the Rajkot-Kalavad Highway, and 10 on the Rajkot-Bhavnagar Highway. All have since been sealed.

The FIR was lodged by an R&B Department official following directions from the Collector. Police have launched an investigation to identify those responsible.

Authorities have warned of strict legal action against anyone found damaging highway dividers or creating unauthorized openings in the future. DeshGujarat