NHAI removes 361 encroachments from national highways after Supreme Court order
The NHAI has removed 361 illegal encroachments and closed 150 unauthorized median gaps on national highways following a Supreme Court mandate. The drive aims to improve road safety and prevent accidents.
Why it matters
Enforcement of highway safety regulations is critical for reducing traffic fatalities and maintaining infrastructure integrity.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has surveyed 693 km of national highways for encroachments and removed 361 illegal access points and obstacles as part of a nationwide enforcement drive launched following a Supreme Court order last year.
In a statement issued on Wednesday (July 29, 2026), the NHAI said it has also served 1,403 notices against unauthorised structures, illegal commercial access points and unapproved median cuts, which it described as major road safety hazards on high-speed highway corridors.
Besides removing 361 illegal access points and encroachments, the authority has permanently closed 150 unauthorised median gaps – including those used for passage – that can lead to road mishaps.
“The drive has been carried out in close coordination with the respective District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police, ensuring smooth and effective enforcement,” the NHAI said in the statement.
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