The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has intensified its campaign against encroachments and unauthorised parking along National Highway corridors, identifying 595 critical locations where illegal parking is prevalent. The authority is working with state governments, district administrations, and enforcement agencies to clear these obstructions, following directives from the Supreme Court of India.
Coordinated Removal of Unauthorised Parking
NHAI is leveraging the Control of National Highways (Land and Traffic) Act, 2002, to remove encroachments. The agency has urged state governments to establish District Highway Safety Task Forces and appoint nodal officers to ensure compliance and continuous monitoring of safety issues. These task forces will facilitate inter-agency coordination and oversee the clearance of unauthorised structures and parked vehicles that impede traffic flow and pose safety risks.
Audit of Traffic Management Systems Ordered
In addition to encroachment removal, NHAI has directed its field offices to conduct immediate audits of all Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) installations. The audits will ensure that components such as traffic monitoring cameras, video incident detection systems, variable speed detection systems, variable message signboards, and emergency call boxes are fully operational. NHAI is prioritising the deployment of ambulances and recovery vehicles, enhanced highway patrolling, integration of ATMS alerts with enforcement agencies, and maintenance of safety infrastructure to enable faster incident response and improved enforcement on National Highways.
Focus on Safety and Compliance
The initiative aims to improve highway safety by removing obstructions that cause accidents and congestion. NHAI is coordinating with state governments to ensure that all safety measures are implemented effectively. The authority has also emphasised the need for continuous monitoring and periodic reviews to address emerging safety concerns. According to NHAI officials, the identification of 595 unauthorised parking sites is a significant step towards reducing hazards on national highways and ensuring smoother traffic movement.
