In a major move to enhance road safety, the Maharashtra government has ordered the immediate removal of all illegal commercial structures and dhabas along national highways within 60 days.

Key Takeaways

  • Immediate ban on illegal dhabas and eateries within the 'Right of Way' of national highways.
  • District Magistrates ordered to demolish encroachments within a strict 60-day window.
  • Formation of specialized highway safety task forces for regular monitoring.
  • No new licenses or NOCs to be issued without NHAI or PWD clearance.

The Maharashtra government has issued sweeping road safety directives to all local authorities, ordering an immediate ban on dhabas, eateries, and other commercial structures built illegally within the Right of Way along all national highways in the state.

Under this new mandate, district magistrates have been tasked with ensuring that both new and existing illegal roadside structures within highway safety zones are demolished within 60 days. The order, issued by the Rural Development Department, aims to keep land reserved for national highways free from obstructions that could interfere with traffic flow or highway operations.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that roadside encroachments are a primary contributor to highway accidents, creating blind spots and obstructing emergency response vehicles. By clearing these zones, the state is prioritizing human life and infrastructure integrity over unauthorized commercial interests.

Strict enforcement of highway safety zones is critical to reducing high-speed collision fatalities on national corridors.

To ensure compliance, the government has ordered the formation of Highway Safety Task Forces in every district. These task forces, comprising officials from the district administration, police, NHAI, and PWD, will hold fortnightly review meetings. Furthermore, no local body can grant or renew any trade license or No-Objection Certificate (NOC) for such sites without prior clearance from the National Highways Authority of India or the Public Works Department.

Historical Background

This directive follows a Supreme Court mandate from April 13, which urged Maharashtra's local bodies to strictly implement road safety measures. It also builds upon a February 2024 circular specifically targeting accident-prone stretches to mitigate rising highway fatalities.

Did You Know?: The 'Right of Way' is a legally protected strip of land intended to ensure unobstructed travel and maintenance access for highways.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the deadline for removing illegal highway structures?
District collectors have been given a strict 60-day deadline to complete the demolition of illegal structures.

2. Who will monitor the implementation of this order?
Specialized Highway Safety Task Forces, including police and NHAI officials, will monitor the process through fortnightly reviews.