Archive · 16 Aug 2026
Maharashtra Orders Removal of Highway Encroachments for Safety
Many people die in car crashes on big roads in India every year.
The government of Maharashtra, a state in India, told local groups to clear things like shops and hotels that are built too close to the highways.
This is because these buildings can block the view and cause accidents.
The highest court in India, called the Supreme Court, asked for these changes after some very bad crashes happened.
Almost 40 people died in those crashes in places called Phalodi and Telangana.
The court also wanted police and transport workers to work together to watch the roads.
A group called NHAI, which takes care of the big highways, removed many places where cars could enter the road illegally.
These surprise entrances can cause crashes because drivers do not expect them.
The article says that keeping good records of accidents is very important.
If we do not know why crashes happen, it is hard to make the roads safer.
The goal is to make sure fewer people get hurt on the highways.
Maharashtra directed all local bodies to remove encroachments from highway rights of way within two months.
The directive follows Supreme Court orders in a suo motu petition after highway crashes in Phalodi, Rajasthan, and Telangana killed nearly 40 people.
The Supreme Court issued forward-looking directions in April, including a trackable patrolling system of police and transport personnel within 30 days.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) removed 361 illegal access points and issued 1,403 notices to remove encroachments and median cuts.
India's annual highway death toll tops 1.8 lakh, with research suggesting accident data undercounts in Maharashtra.
- Who
- Maharashtra local bodies, the Supreme Court, and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
- What
- Directions to remove encroachments from highway rights of way and improve highway safety measures
- When
- Following Supreme Court orders in April and a two-month deadline for encroachment removal
- Where
- Maharashtra, India, and national highways across the country
- Why
- To reduce highway deaths after crashes in Phalodi, Rajasthan, and Telangana killed nearly 40 people
Pro-Reform / Judicial Oversight
Administrative / Incremental Approach
Encroachment Removal
Pro-Reform / Judicial Oversight
Encroachments like dhabas and hotels must be removed without fear or favour to improve safety.
Administrative / Incremental Approach
Removing encroachments alone is insufficient; administrative lacunae in accident reporting must also be addressed.
Patrolling System
Pro-Reform / Judicial Oversight
A trackable patrolling system of police and transport personnel should be operationalised within 30 days.
Administrative / Incremental Approach
The mandates, starting with the patrolling mechanism, have not actually been operationalised, raising doubts about implementation.
Approach to Reform
Pro-Reform / Judicial Oversight
Deep reforms, including a national road safety board, are needed to make a real impact.
Administrative / Incremental Approach
Incremental approaches cannot make a deep impact on road safety in India.
- State
- Maharashtra, India
- Deadline
- Two months for encroachment removal
- Supreme Court directions
- Issued in April, including a trackable patrolling system within 30 days
- NHAI illegal access points removed
- 361
- NHAI notices issued
- 1,403
- Highway deaths in crashes
- Nearly 40 in Phalodi and Telangana
- Annual death toll in India
- Over 1.8 lakh