State reorganises Raipur police district into Urban and Rural units; Commissioner of Police to exercise magisterial powers to tackle law and order challenges
TFP Bureau, Raipur, January 22, 2026: The Chhattisgarh Government has decided to implement the Police Commissionerate system in Raipur district with effect from January 23, 2026, marking a major administrative reform in policing aimed at strengthening law and order, crime control and internal security in the rapidly growing urban region of the State capital.
According to an official communication issued by the Home (Police) Department from Mahanadi Bhavan, Atal Nagar, Nava Raipur, instructions have been issued to the Director General of Police (DGP), Chhattisgarh, to take all necessary steps for the effective implementation of the Commissionerate system in accordance with the notification published in the Chhattisgarh Gazette (Extraordinary) dated January 21, 2026.
Raipur Police District Split into Urban and Rural Units
In exercise of powers conferred under sub-section (1) of Section 5 of the Chhattisgarh Police Act, 2007, the State Government has reorganised the existing Raipur Police District into two separate police districts—Raipur Urban and Raipur Rural—with clearly defined territorial jurisdictions.
Under the reorganisation, the Raipur Urban Police District will cover major urban police stations including Civil Lines, Devendra Nagar, Telibandha, Kotwali, Gudhiyari, Moudhapara, Gol Bazaar, Old Basti, DD Nagar, Amanaka, Azad Chowk, Saraswati Nagar, Kabir Nagar, Rajendra Nagar, Tikrapara, Urla (areas under Birgaon Municipal Corporation), Khamtarai, Pandri, Khamhardih and related urban localities. The Raipur Urban Police District will function under the administrative control of an Inspector General of Police-level officer.
The Raipur Rural Police District will include police stations such as Assembly, Dharsiwa, Kharora, Tilda Nevra, Mandir Hasaud, Arang, Nava Raipur, Rakhi, Abhanpur, Gobra Navapara and Urla (areas outside Birgaon Municipal Corporation). The rural district will be headed by the Superintendent of Police, Raipur Rural.
Rationale for Commissionerate System
The State Government has cited the rapidly increasing population and expanding urban footprint of Raipur as key reasons for introducing the Commissionerate system. The combined population of Raipur Municipal Corporation and Birgaon urban body is estimated to be around 19 lakh, well above the one-million benchmark generally considered suitable for Commissionerate policing.
Officials noted that Raipur Urban presents complex challenges related to law and order, traffic management, organised crime, cybercrime and public safety. To address these issues more effectively through quicker decision-making and decentralised authority, the Government has deemed it expedient to introduce the Police Commissionerate system.
Commissioner of Police to Get Magisterial Powers
Under the new arrangement, the police administration of Raipur Urban will be vested in an officer designated as the Commissioner of Police, Raipur Urban. The Commissioner will exercise powers and authority under the Chhattisgarh Police Act, 2007, the Code of Criminal Procedure and other applicable laws, while remaining under the overall supervision and control of the Director General of Police and the Inspector General of Police, Chhattisgarh.
In exercise of powers under Section 3 of the Chhattisgarh Police Act, 2007, the State Government has redesignated the office of the Superintendent of Police, Raipur Urban Police District, along with officers mentioned in Schedule-I, as the office of the Commissioner of Police, Raipur Urban.
Additionally, under Sections 14 and 15 of the Code, the Government has conferred Executive Magistrate powers on the Commissioner of Police, Raipur Urban. Similar magisterial powers have also been granted to the Deputy Commissioners of Police and Assistant Commissioners of Police within their respective jurisdictions. These officers will be empowered to exercise powers under Sections 59, 125 to 143, 148 to 151 and Section 163 of the Code, enabling swift preventive and regulatory action.
Three Police Divisions in Raipur Urban
Further strengthening the new system, the State Government has divided the Raipur Urban Police District into three police divisions as specified in Schedule-II of the notification. Each division will comprise designated police stations, with a clearly defined hierarchy of officers to ensure effective supervision, accountability and faster response to incidents.
Senior officials believe that the introduction of the Commissionerate system will enhance coordination between police and civic authorities, improve traffic regulation, ensure quicker enforcement of prohibitory orders and ultimately provide safer and more efficient policing for citizens.
The notification has been issued by the Home Department in the name of the Governor of Chhattisgarh and digitally signed by the competent authority. All concerned departments and officers have been directed to ensure seamless implementation of the new policing structure from the notified date.
Please see the order here 👇
