Illegal dhabas on highways to be demolished; govt gives 60-day ultimatum
The Maharashtra government has ordered local authorities to take immediate action against illegally built dhabas, eateries and other commercial structures located within the Right of Way (ROW) of national highways across the state, reported the PTI.
The move is aimed at improving road safety and preventing roadside encroachments from obstructing traffic or creating risks for motorists, officials said.
Under the government order, district magistrates have been directed to ensure that new and existing illegal roadside structures within highway safety zones are removed within 60 days.
The government has also ordered the formation of highway safety task forces in districts through which national highways pass. These teams will regularly inspect highway stretches and monitor encroachments and other safety concerns, the news agency reported.
No licences without highway authority clearance
According to the PTI, the order states that no government department, authority or local body should issue or renew a licence, no-objection certificate or trade approval for commercial establishments located within highway safety zones without prior clearance from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) or the Public Works Department (PWD).
Existing licences for such establishments must also be reviewed within 30 days.
The government said the measures are intended to keep land reserved for national highways free from structures that could interfere with traffic movement, highway operations or commuter safety.
Task forces to monitor highway safety
District collectors have been asked to form highway safety task forces comprising officials from the district administration, police, NHAI or the relevant land-owning agency, PWD and local authorities, as per the PTI.
District collectors and police commissioners or superintendents will share responsibility for ensuring the timely removal of encroachments.
The task forces will be required to hold review meetings every fortnight and maintain records of the discussions and action taken.
Supreme Court directions cited
The government order referred to a Supreme Court directive dated April 13, under which district councils, panchayat samitis and gram panchayats in Maharashtra were directed to strictly implement road safety measures, the news agency reported.
The latest state order seeks to strengthen enforcement and ensure that roadside commercial activity does not compromise the safety of highway users.
For roads under the jurisdiction of district councils and other district roads, the government has referred to an earlier circular issued on February 21, 2024.
Officials have been directed to implement the measures listed in the circular for accident-prone stretches and submit regular reports on the action taken to the Rural Development Department.
(with PTI inputs)
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