Maharashtra bans hotels, dhabas on highway right of way, orders demolition

The Maharashtra government has issued a ban on all unauthorized structures within the Right of Way (ROW) on National Highways, instructing urban local bodies to demolish existing and new unlicensed structures within 60 days. This measure stems from a Supreme Court order following a suo moto writ petition in the Phalodi Accident case, which highlighted the dangers posed by encroachments near highways.

The new guidelines prohibit the construction or operation of new dhabas, eateries, or commercial structures in the ROW, affecting the highway safety zones. District Magistrates are tasked with enforcing the demolition or removal of any unauthorized structures within the specified timeframe. Land-use within 40 meters (residential) and 75 meters (commercial) of the highway's midpoint will not be changed without prior clearance from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) or the respective department.

To ensure compliance, a district highway safety task force will be established in each district with a National Highway, led by the district collector and including representatives from local bodies, police, NHAI, and PWD. The district collector and the Commissioner of Police/Superintendent of Police will oversee the regular removal of encroachments.

This initiative followed a tragic incident in November 2025, where 15 people were killed and two injured when a tempo collided with a parked truck on the Bharat Mala Highway in Rajasthan, highlighting the urgent need for such regulations.