Restoring Safety by Removing National Highway Encroachments

Why in news

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) are undertaking sustained anti-encroachment drives across the country, following a Supreme Court directive to remove unauthorised encroachments on public roads and highways.

Exam relevance

GS2, GS3 · Governance, Economy, Internal Security · Prelims · Mains

Key facts

1. India's National Highways are vital for the country's mobility and economic growth.
2. Unauthorised encroachment along highway corridors is a persistent threat to road safety and efficient highway operations.
3. Encroachments include illegal structures, commercial establishments, temporary sheds, and roadside extensions.
4. These obstructions narrow carriageways, obstruct visibility, interfere with drainage systems, and create unsafe entry and exit points.
5. Encroachments significantly increase the risk of road crashes, reduce reaction time, distract drivers, and hamper highway maintenance, emergency response, and future infrastructure expansion.
6. The Supreme Court has directed the removal of unauthorised encroachments on public roads and highways.
7. MoRTH and NHAI are conducting sustained anti-encroachment drives in accordance with legal provisions and established procedures.
8. The objective of these operations is to restore the Right of Way (RoW).

Prelims pointers

• Role of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in highway management.
• Role of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in highway management.
• Definition and impact of 'Right of Way' (RoW) in highway context.
• Consequences of unauthorised encroachments on road safety and infrastructure efficiency.

Mains practice question

Analyse the multi-faceted challenges posed by unauthorised encroachments on National Highways and discuss the significance of sustained anti-encroachment drives in ensuring road safety and efficient infrastructure management. (150 words)

Static linkage

This news links to the broader issues of infrastructure development and maintenance, road safety policies, urban planning challenges, and the enforcement of public land regulations. It also highlights the role of judicial directives in governance and the responsibilities of bodies like NHAI and MoRTH in ensuring efficient national infrastructure.

Significance

The removal of encroachments on National Highways is crucial for enhancing road safety by reducing accident risks and improving traffic flow. It ensures the efficient operation and maintenance of critical infrastructure, which is vital for economic growth and seamless connectivity. Furthermore, these drives uphold the rule of law by enforcing legal provisions and Supreme Court directives, ensuring public land is utilized for its intended purpose and facilitating future infrastructure expansion.

Way forward

Not specified in source