Maharashtra Govt Orders 60-Day Demolition of Unauthorised Dhabas and Structures Along National Highways; Here's Why
Following a Supreme Court directive tied to a fatal Rajasthan crash, Maharashtra ordered a 60-day crackdown to demolish unauthorised dhabas and commercial structures within National Highway Right of Way limits. New safety task forces will monitor clearances. Authorities have mandated a comprehensive review of all existing licenses granted for commercial sites along these corridors within 30 days.
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Acting on a direct mandate from the Supreme Court, the Maharashtra government has ordered all urban local bodies across the state to demolish or remove all unauthorised structures within the Right of Way (RoW) of National Highways within 60 days. The sweeping crackdown targets illegal dhabas, eateries, and commercial establishments operating on land reserved for highway corridors, a move designed to curb mounting road accidents linked to roadside congestion.
Supreme Court Directive and State Enforcement
The state-level orders follow directions issued by the Supreme Court on April 13, during a suo motu writ petition (Phalodi Accident versus National Highways Authority of India), reports Indian Express. Municipal corporations, municipal councils, and nagar panchayats have been instructed to ensure strict compliance. Tukaram Mundhe-Led Maharashtra FDA Suspends Blinkit's Malad Warehouse Licence; Know the Reason.
The official directive states: “Construction/operation of any new dhaba, eatery, or commercial structure within the Right of Way (ROW) of any National Highway is prohibited with immediate effect. District Magistrates shall enforce demolition/removal of all new or existing unauthorised structures within 60 days.” Furthermore, the Supreme Court has instructed the state government to restrict land-use changes within 40 meters for residential zones and 75 meters for commercial zones measured from the midpoint of any National Highway.
License Review and Regulatory Restrictions
To prevent future encroachments, municipal and local bodies are now barred from issuing or renewing any licenses, No Objection Certificates (NOCs), or trade approvals for sites inside highway safety zones without prior clearance from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) or the Public Works Department (PWD). Additionally, authorities have mandated a comprehensive review of all existing licenses granted for commercial sites along these corridors within 30 days.
Background: The Phalodi Tragedy
The Supreme Court's intervention stems from a fatal accident in November 2025, when at least 15 people were killed and two others injured on the Bharatmala Highway in Rajasthan’s Phalodi district. The tragedy occurred when a tempo attempted to overtake another vehicle and collided with a truck that was parked illegally on the side of the highway directly in front of a roadside eatery. Investigators noted that unauthorised roadside commercial spots often encourage illegal parking, significantly increasing the risk of high-speed collisions. FDA Seizes Kaju Katli at Reliance Retail Outlet in Buldhana Over Quality Concerns.
District Highway Safety Task Forces Formed
To ensure continuous monitoring, a dedicated District Highway Safety Task Force will be established in every district traversed by a National Highway. Led by the District Collector, the task force will include representatives from the district administration, local police, PWD, local urban bodies, and the NHAI. Responsibility for carrying out regular anti-encroachment drives and maintaining highway clearance rests jointly with the District Collector and the local Commissioner of Police or Superintendent of Police.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 11, 2026 03:36 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
