Maharashtra Govt Orders Removal Of Highway Encroachments Within 60 Days, Bars New Commercial Structures In ROW Areas

Mumbai, August 10, 2026 - The Maharashtra government has instructed all municipal corporations, municipal councils and nagar panchayats to swiftly remove unauthorized structures and encroachments along national highways within 60 days, as mandated by the Supreme Court. Following the April 13, 2026 Supreme Court order in the Phalodi Accident case, the Urban Development Department issued a directive on Monday.

This circular prohibits construction or operation of any new commercial structures within the Right of Way of national highways immediately.

District Magistrates are responsible for enforcing the removal or demolition of all unauthorized structures within the designated timeframe, adhering to the prescribed legal procedures and Standard Operating Procedure issued on August 7, 2025. The government has also strengthened rules for commercial licenses near highways, requiring prior clearance from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) or the Public Works Department (PWD) before issuing, renewing or granting licences or No Objection Certificates (NOCs). Existing licenses must be reviewed within 30 days.

A District Highway Safety Task Force will be established in every district where a national highway passes, comprising officials from the district administration, police, NHAI or the land-owning agency, PWD, and local bodies. The District Collector and Commissioner of Police or Superintendent of Police jointly oversee the removal of encroachments, with task forces holding fortnightly review meetings and maintaining records of their proceedings.

Moreover, state governments must notify within 60 days the restriction of land use changes within 40 meters for residential purposes and 75 meters for commercial purposes from the center of a national highway, per applicable Indian Roads Congress (IRC) norms. The Maharashtra government stresses strict adherence to the Supreme Court's order and existing laws, warning authorities against any violation or contempt of the court's directive.