UP CM Directs Officials to Step Up Welfare and Road Safety Measures as Cold Wave and Dense Fog Grip State

Lucknow | December 17, 2025 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday issued a series of strict instructions to senior administrative and police officials to strengthen social welfare support and road safety measures amid severe cold weather and dense fog across the state. The directives come in the wake of deadly road accidents and growing concerns over the safety of homeless people during the ongoing cold wave. The Chief Minister’s instructions followed a tragic day on Tuesday when fog-related accidents across Uttar Pradesh claimed at least 25 lives and left 59 people injured. The most devastating incident occurred on the Yamuna Expressway in Mathura, where poor visibility led to a massive multi-vehicle collision. The crash triggered a fire that killed at least 13 people, highlighting the urgent need for stronger safety measures during extreme weather conditions. According to an official statement, Yogi Adityanath has asked divisional commissioners, district magistrates, inspectors general of police, and traffic authorities to remain on high alert during foggy and smog-prone periods. He stressed that preventing accidents and protecting lives must be treated as top priorities. The Chief Minister emphasised the importance of proper road lighting and ordered officials to carry out continuous checks on street lights. Any faulty lighting, he said, should be repaired immediately to reduce the risk of accidents during low visibility. He also directed authorities to coordinate closely with the National Highways Authority of India and state highway officials to ensure better traffic management. To improve safety on expressways and major roads, the CM instructed that patrolling be increased, especially during early morning and late-night hours when fog is at its densest. He ordered the deployment of special teams at identified accident-prone locations, commonly known as black spots, and called for corrective measures such as installing reflectors and warning signs along highways and busy roads. In addition, the Chief Minister directed that cranes and ambulances be stationed round-the-clock on expressways to ensure quick response in case of accidents. Toll plaza staff have been instructed to use loudspeakers to warn drivers about fog conditions and advise them to drive cautiously. Strict action has also been ordered against vehicles found overspeeding during poor visibility. Alongside road safety, Yogi Adityanath placed strong emphasis on protecting vulnerable populations during the cold wave. He instructed officials to ensure that no person is forced to sleep in the open during harsh winter nights. Regular inspections have been ordered to identify homeless individuals and provide them immediate shelter. Authorities have been directed to make adequate arrangements at night shelters, including the availability of blankets, heaters and bonfires. The Chief Minister stressed that these shelters should be monitored continuously to ensure proper management and adequate facilities. Officials have also been asked to personally inspect shelters and ensure that destitute and needy people receive timely assistance. Special care has also been ordered for animals, particularly cattle housed in gaushalas. The Chief Minister instructed officials to ensure proper protection from the cold, including arrangements for warmth, food and bonfires to prevent loss of livestock during extreme weather. Meanwhile, the state administration has issued a travel advisory for motorists to reduce the risk of accidents during foggy conditions. Drivers have been advised to keep their speed within prescribed limits, use fog lights and low-beam headlights, maintain safe distance from vehicles ahead and avoid frequent lane changes or overtaking on expressways. Motorists have also been cautioned to switch on emergency indicators when visibility drops sharply and to avoid travel altogether if fog becomes extremely dense. The advisory further recommends the use of reflector tape on vehicles to improve visibility. Officials said these measures, if followed carefully, could significantly reduce accidents during winter fog. With cold wave-like conditions expected to continue, the state government has said that monitoring and enforcement will remain strict in the coming days. The Chief Minister reiterated that ensuring public safety, preventing accidents and providing relief to the homeless and vulnerable are collective responsibilities of the administration during extreme weather. UP CM Directs Officials to Step Up Welfare and Road Safety Measures as Cold Wave and Dense Fog Grip State With dense fog and cold wave–like conditions affecting Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has issued urgent instructions to officials to strengthen road safety and social welfare measures across the state. The move comes after a series of fog-related accidents on Tuesday that claimed 25 lives and injured 59 people, including a major tragedy on the Yamuna Expressway in Mathura, where a multi-vehicle collision led to a fire that killed at least 13 people. The Chief Minister has asked district magistrates, police, traffic authorities and senior officials to remain on high alert during foggy conditions. Special focus has been placed on expressways and highways, where visibility drops sharply during early mornings and nights. Officials have been directed to increase patrolling, deploy teams at accident-prone black spots and ensure reflectors and warning signs are properly installed. To prevent accidents, the CM ordered continuous checks on street lighting, with immediate repairs of faulty lights. Cranes and ambulances are to be stationed round-the-clock on expressways for quick emergency response. Toll plaza staff have also been instructed to warn drivers about fog through loudspeakers, while strict action will be taken against overspeeding during low visibility. Alongside road safety, the government has stressed the need to protect vulnerable people during the harsh winter. The Chief Minister directed that no one should sleep in the open, and regular inspections must be carried out to identify and assist homeless individuals. Night shelters are to be kept well-equipped with blankets, heaters and bonfires, and officials have been asked to ensure proper management of these facilities. Special care has also been ordered for cattle in gaushalas, with arrangements for warmth and protection from the cold. The state has issued a travel advisory urging drivers to use fog lights, keep speed low, maintain safe distance and avoid unnecessary travel during dense fog.