Forest Department’s Wall Construction on Former NH-78 Sparks Public Outrage: “Why is the City Shrinking to Protect the DFO’s Bungalow?”

Special Report By Sadanand Joshi

Introduction

In Umaria town, a fresh controversy has erupted after the Forest Department began constructing a solid boundary wall dangerously close to the former National Highway-78 near Rani Durgavati Square. Citizens allege that the construction is not for public safety but merely to secure the Divisional Forest Officer’s (DFO) bungalow—at the cost of road space and traffic safety.

A Wall on a Crucial Junction


Rani Durgavati Square is one of Umaria’s busiest traffic nodes, where five major routes diverge:

  • Katni Road

  • Shahdol Road

  • Railway Station Road

  • Main Market Road

  • Forest Department Road

Despite this being a high-traffic junction, the Forest Department has erected a boundary wall almost touching the road, significantly reducing visibility and narrowing an already congested bend.

Citizens Question the Logic Behind the Construction

Residents have raised strong objections, stating that the wall is being built for the DFO bungalow’s “security,” not public convenience.

Local voices are asking:

  • “What threat is the bungalow facing?”

  • “Who is this wall protecting the officer from?”

  • “And when lakhs of people use this road, why is their safety secondary?”

A City Already Short of Space—Now Shrinking Even More

Umaría Municipal Council covers barely 1,268 hectares. Citizens argue that nearly 40% of this land remains under Forest Department control, based on old boundary registers and records from 1947.
The department continues to build permanent structures within this area, further squeezing the town’s expansion and choking vital road space.

Traffic Hazard at a Five-Way Junction

Photographs from the site show:

  • Heavy vehicles passing inches away from the new wall

  • A narrow, blind curve

  • Rapid two-wheeler movement

  • Reduced visibility creating accident-prone conditions

Citizens fear a major accident and ask:
“When something goes wrong, will it be the Forest Department, Revenue Department, PWD, or the Transport Department that takes responsibility?”

Four Departments Silent—Who Will Enforce the Law?

Residents point to a chain of administrative lapses:

Public Works Department (PWD)

It should ensure no permanent structure is raised within the mandatory road-safety clearance zone.

Revenue Department

It has not yet carried out a clear, official demarcation (boundary verification) of the land.

Transport Department

It has not assessed the impact of the wall on turning radius, visibility, or road safety.

Forest Department

It is moving ahead with construction without publicly sharing any approval or safety clearance.

Demand for Immediate Action

Citizens have urged district authorities to:

  • Conduct an immediate land demarcation

  • Enforce road-safety clearance rules

  • Examine the safety risk posed by the wall

  • Clarify the legality of constructing such a boundary on a critical road junction

Residents say the issue is about safety, legality, and the city’s shrinking space—not about departmental authority.

Conclusion

As Umaria grows, infrastructure decisions must prioritize public safety and urban planning—not departmental convenience. The wall on former NH-78 has triggered a serious debate on governance, transparency, and whether departments can unilaterally alter public spaces without accountability.









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