Archive · 11 Aug 2026
Maharashtra bans illegal dhabas, hotels on highway right of way
In the Indian state of Maharashtra, there are big roads called National Highways.
Next to these roads, the government keeps a strip of land called the Right of Way so the road has space and stays safe.
Sometimes people build small restaurants called dhabas, hotels, and shops on this land without permission.
The Maharashtra government said these unapproved buildings must be taken down.
Local city offices and district officials have 60 days to remove them.
The government also said nobody can build new dhabas, eateries, or shops on this land.
This is because India's highest court, the Supreme Court, gave directions to clear this land.
The court was looking at an accident case called Phalodi Accident versus NHAI.
Now, new shop licences near highways will need special permission from highway authorities first.
Specially formed safety teams will also check the roads regularly to keep them clear and safe.
The Maharashtra government ordered all urban local bodies to demolish and remove unauthorised structures within the Right of Way (ROW) on National Highways within 60 days.
The order bans the construction of dhabas, eateries, hotels, and any other commercial structure on the ROW, the stretch of land acquired and reserved by the government.
The directive follows Supreme Court directions issued on April 13, 2026, in a suo moto writ petition in the Phalodi Accident versus National Highways Authority of India case.
No new licences, no-objection certificates, or trade approvals can be granted for sites in highway safety zones without NHAI or PWD clearance, and existing licences must be reviewed within 30 days.
District magistrates must form highway safety task forces, including police, NHAI, PWD, and local bodies, to conduct regular checks and hold review meetings every fortnight.
- Who
- The Maharashtra government, all urban local bodies (municipal corporations, municipal councils, nagar panchayats), district magistrates and police, acting on directions from the Supreme Court.
- What
- An order to demolish all unauthorised hotels, dhabas, eateries, and commercial structures within the Right of Way on National Highways, ban new construction there, tighten licensing rules, and create highway safety task forces.
- When
- The order was issued around late April 2026 (one report says Monday, another Tuesday), with demolition required within 60 days and licence reviews within 30 days, following Supreme Court directions of April 13, 2026.
- Where
- Maharashtra state, covering the Right of Way and highway safety zones on all National Highways across the state.
- Why
- To enhance commuter safety, clear encroachments, and streamline highway operations, in strict compliance with Supreme Court directions in the Phalodi Accident versus National Highways Authority of India case.
- Government
- Maharashtra
- Issuing department
- Rural Development Department
- Action
- Ban and demolition of unauthorised structures within highway Right of Way
- Demolition deadline
- 60 days
- Licence rules
- New grants need NHAI/PWD clearance; existing licences reviewed within 30 days
- Prohibited structures
- Hotels, dhabas, eateries and commercial structures on the ROW
- Legal basis
- Supreme Court directions of April 13, 2026
- Court case
- Suo moto writ petition, Phalodi Accident versus NHAI
