Nagpur launches drive to clear illegal roadside eateries, structures on highways
State urban development department orders removal of unauthorised dhabas and construction along national highways after Supreme Court directions.
Taking note of accidents on national highways, the state urban development department has issued strict directions to all municipal corporations, municipal councils and nagar panchayats in the state to strictly follow Supreme Court directions. The department issued the circular based on a Supreme Court order dated April 13, 2026, and a decision taken at a meeting chaired by the chief secretary on July 22, 2026.
As per the government's decision, an immediate ban has been imposed on setting up and operating any new dhaba, food stall or commercial construction within the right of way limits of national highways. Also, in line with the regulatory law and the standard operating procedure dated August 7, 2025, district collectors have been directed to take action against both new and old unauthorised constructions and remove them within 60 days.
No department, authority or local self-government body will be able to issue or renew any new license, no objection certificate (NOC) or business permission in the highway safety zone without prior permission from the NHAI or the public works department. Directions have also been issued to re-examine previously issued licenses within 30 days.
Within 7 days of the order being issued, district collectors in districts with national highways have been directed to set up a District Highway Safety Task Force. The task force will include officials from the district administration, police, NHAI, the concerned land-owning agency, the public works department and local self-government bodies.
The responsibility for timely removal of encroachments on the highway will rest jointly with the district collector and the police commissioner or superintendent of police. The task force will also have to hold a review meeting every 15 days.
While implementing these directions, local self-government bodies will have to follow existing laws, rules and government decisions, and it has also been clearly stated that under no circumstances should there be contempt of the Supreme Court's orders.
