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

3 min learnUp to date: Aug 11, 2026 10:26 AM IST

In a crackdown towards all unauthorised buildings inside the Proper of Approach (ROW) on any Nationwide Freeway, the Maharashtra authorities on Monday requested all city native our bodies within the state to demolish and take away all new or current unlicensed buildings inside 60 days. The order additionally prohibits the development of any dhaba, eatery or a commertial construction on the ROW, which is the whole strip of land acquired and reserved by the federal government.

Based mostly on the instructions given by the Supreme Courtroom on April 13, 2026, in a suo moto writ petition in Phalodi Accident versus Nationwide Highways Authority of India, all municipal companies, municipal councils and nagar panchayats have been ordered within the state to ‘strictly comply’ with the instructions.

What do the instructions say?

The instructions learn: “Development/operation of any new dhaba, eatery, or industrial construction inside the Proper of Approach (ROW) of any Nationwide Freeway is prohibited with rapid impact. District Magistrates shall implement demolition/removing of all new or current unauthorised buildings inside 60 days.”

It additional added that no division, authority, or native physique shall grant or renew any licence, NOC, or commerce approval for any website inside the freeway security zones with out prior clearance by NHAI/PWD, and all current licences for such websites shall be reviewed inside 30 days.

A district freeway security activity drive will even be created in each district that has a Nationwide Freeway passing by means of.

The district collector will kind the district freeway security activity drive comprising officers of the district administration, police, NHAI (or involved land-owning company), PWD, and native our bodies.

The accountability to repeatedly take away the encroachment lies with the District Collector and the Commissioner of Police/Superintendent of Police.

What the Supreme Courtroom stated in its order

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The Supreme Court, in its order, informed the state authorities to ban inside 60 days the land-use adjustments inside 40 meters (residential) and 75 meters (industrial) from the mid-point of any Nationwide Freeway.

In November 2025, not less than 15 individuals had been killed, and two had been injured when a tempo collided with a parked truck on the Bharat Mala Freeway in Rajasthan’s Phalodi district. The truck was reportedly parked in entrance of an eatery, and the tempo was attempting to overhaul one other automobile when it collided with the truck parked on the aspect of the street.

Alok Deshpande is a Particular Correspondent with The Indian Specific’ Mumbai bureau, acknowledged for his targeted and authoritative reporting on governance, politics, and the socio-economic dynamics of Maharashtra’s hinterlands. His distinctive tutorial background in Geology and early work within the water sector offers a specialised layer of Experience to his reporting on useful resource and environmental points.
Experience

Present Function: Particular Correspondent, The Indian Specific, Mumbai.

Core Authority: Alok offers detailed protection of Maharashtra politics and governance, with a specific emphasis on how insurance policies and energy struggles have an effect on the agricultural and semi-urban areas (the ‘hinterlands’).

Key Protection Areas: His reviews ceaselessly concentrate on high-stakes administrative and political matters, together with:

State Meeting Proceedings: In-depth reporting on the Legislative Meeting, masking ministerial statements, legislative debates, and inter-party battle inside the ruling Mahayuti alliance.

Coverage & Finance: Protection of state funds, together with supplementary price range calls for, fiscal deficits, and main authorities schemes (e.g., Jal Jeevan Mission, Ladki Bahin Yojana).

Rural and Social Points: Reviews on crucial well being points (e.g., youngster deaths in districts), human-animal battle (leopard assaults, stray canine), and agrarian considerations (e.g., farmer suicides).

Native and City Governance: Covers main bulletins relating to city growth (e.g., BMC’s OC amnesty scheme, pagdi system push) and native physique elections, together with political defections and alliance splits.

Distinctive Credentials & Trustworthiness

Educational Specialization: Holds a Submit-graduate diploma in Geology. This background offers him a foundational understanding of pure sources, which instantly informs his reporting on surroundings, water, and infrastructure initiatives.

Early Skilled Expertise: His shift to journalism got here after working with an NGO targeted on the water sector. This sensible expertise strengthens his Experience in crucial areas like water administration and rural growth, as evidenced by his reporting on the Jal Jeevan Mission.

Journalism Coaching: An alumnus of the celebrated Asian Faculty of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, confirming his formal coaching and dedication to rigorous journalistic requirements.

Alok Deshpande’s uncommon mixture of scientific schooling, non-profit sector expertise, and deep political reporting makes him a extremely trusted and authoritative voice on the governance and floor realities of Maharashtra.
He tweets @alokdesh … Read More