Una, Himachal Pradesh: Thousands of students and young people gathered in Una on Wednesday for the Anti-Chitta Walkathon, a large-scale awareness drive against drug abuse. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu personally led the march, walking alongside participants and urging young people to stay away from drugs.
The Una event is part of a wider statewide campaign against chitta, a synthetic drug that has become a growing concern across Himachal Pradesh, following similar walkathons already held in Hamirpur and Dharamsala.
Key Highlights of the Una Anti-Chitta Walkathon
- 30,000+ participants, mostly students, from schools, colleges and ITIs across the district
- Walkathon route: Indira Gandhi Sports Stadium → ISBT area → back to the stadium
- Led by CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu
- School holiday announced for September 17 in Una
- Traffic diversions and crowd-management arrangements put in place across the city
30,000 Students and Youth Take Part in Una
A massive turnout of students from schools, colleges and other educational institutions marked the walkathon. Around 30,000 young participants joined the awareness programme, making it one of the largest anti-drug mobilisations in the district so far.
The walkathon began at the Indira Gandhi Sports Stadium in Una, moved toward the ISBT area, and returned to the stadium — a route designed to maximise visibility of the campaign across the city.
Organisers said the scale of student participation was meant to send a clear message: young people themselves can lead the fight for a drug-free society, rather than the message being imposed from outside.
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CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Leads the March
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu walked the full route alongside students and other participants. Throughout the programme, his focus stayed on building awareness among young people while calling on families, schools and colleges, and the wider community to work together against drug abuse.
The CM also interacted directly with student participants, stressing that tackling chitta and drug addiction requires a collective effort — not just from the government, but from every level of society.
School Holiday Announced for September 17
During the programme, CM Sukhu announced a school holiday for September 17 in Una, following the large-scale anti-drug event.
Students and parents are advised to also check for specific instructions from their respective schools regarding the holiday.
Traffic and Security Arrangements in Una
Given the scale of the gathering, the Una district administration and police put in place detailed arrangements for crowd management and traffic movement.
- Traffic restrictions and route diversions were enforced on key roads around Una
- Police personnel were deployed at important junctions and checkpoints
- Facilities for drinking water, medical assistance, and parking were arranged along the route
Why the Anti-Chitta Campaign Matters
Drug abuse — particularly the spread of chitta — has increasingly affected education, family life, employment and general well-being among Himachal’s youth. Awareness walkathons like the one in Una aim to keep the issue visible in public discussion and push for sustained community involvement.
The Una event also reinforced a broader message from the state government: fighting drug abuse effectively requires cooperation between young people, parents, teachers, local communities, the administration and law enforcement agencies.
This walkathon follows similar large-scale anti-chitta marches led by CM Sukhu in Hamirpur and Dharamsala in recent months, as part of a statewide push to make Himachal Pradesh drug-free.
FAQs: Una Anti-Chitta Walkathon
Q1. When was the Anti-Chitta Walkathon held in Una? The Anti-Chitta Walkathon was held in Una on September 16, 2026.
Q2. Who led the Anti-Chitta Walkathon in Una? Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu led and participated in the walkathon.
Q3. How many people participated in the Una walkathon? Around 30,000 students and young people took part in the event.
Q4. What was the route of the Una Anti-Chitta Walkathon? The walkathon started at the Indira Gandhi Sports Stadium, moved toward the ISBT area, and returned to the stadium.
Q5. Did the CM announce a school holiday? Yes. CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced a school holiday for September 17 in Una during the programme.
Q6. Why was the Anti-Chitta Walkathon organised? The walkathon aimed to spread awareness about the harmful effects of chitta and other drugs, and to encourage young people to stay away from substance abuse.
