CHANDIGARH, May 1 — In a major step toward curbing drug abuse, UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria will lead the ‘Walk for Drug-Free Chandigarh’ on May 3, with thousands expected to take part in a city-wide mobilization to spread awareness, particularly among the youth.
“The objective is to make Chandigarh the first drug-free city in the country,” Kataria said during a press briefing.
“This walk is not just symbolic — it is a call to action for every resident, especially our younger generation, to reject drugs and reclaim their future.”
A series of eight coordinated marches will be held across different parts of Chandigarh, converging at the central venue — Tiranga Urban Park in Sector 17.
The event will bring together a wide cross-section of society, with invitations extended to the governors of Punjab and Haryana, the Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, chief ministers of both neighboring states, members of Parliament, and senior officials from the UT and the two states.
The Chandigarh Education Department has already initiated a slate of activities in schools to build momentum in the days leading up to the event.
According to the administration, around 2,500 students from Government Model Senior Secondary Schools (GMSSS) in Sectors 16, 18, 22, and 23 will march to Tiranga Urban Park.
They will be joined by 1,500 students from colleges and the National Service Scheme (NSS) units assembling at various other locations.
Besides, about 500 students are set to gather at the Chandigarh Secretariat in Sector 9, while schools and institutions citywide will mobilize 100–150 students each for local rallies featuring anti-drug placards and public engagement.
Beyond the student community, the march will also include ex-servicemen, members of Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), volunteers, and government employees.
The total number of participants is expected to exceed 5,500.
To amplify the campaign’s reach, a live webcast of the culminating event at Tiranga Urban Park will be streamed to educational institutions, Sukhna Lake, and the Sector 17 Plaza — potentially connecting with over 1.5 lakh viewers virtually.
A military band performance is also scheduled as part of the main program, adding ceremonial gravity to the occasion.
Officials believe that involving multiple sections of society in a coordinated effort will strengthen public resolve.
“This campaign is as much about deterrence as it is about inspiration,” said a senior education official. “We are raising a collective voice — one that says no to drugs, loud and clear.”
The walk is part of Chandigarh’s broader strategy to combat drug use through public awareness, early education, and community participation, aligning with national efforts under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
The administration has urged citizens to participate, noting that sustained community involvement is key to sustaining long-term behavioral change.
“This is everyone’s fight,” Kataria stated. “By standing together, we not only send a message — we begin the process of transformation.”
