In a decisive move to enhance road safety and alleviate traffic congestion, the Odisha state government has directed district collectors and superintendents of police (SPs) to extend full support to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in removing illegal encroachments from national highways. This directive follows a recent Supreme Court order mandating several states, including Odisha, to take immediate action against highway squatters.
Official highlighted the Supreme Court’s ruling in a letter addressed to the district collectors and SPs, emphasising the urgency of the situation. Jena’s letter underscored the legal framework provided by the Control of National Highways (Land and Traffic) Act, 2002, which categorises the presence of illegal establishments on highways as a punishable offence. The Act empowers the NHAI to take necessary action against individuals encroaching on highway land. “Under this Act, there is provision for the removal of unauthorised occupation on the highways in the interest of road safety. Commuters face traffic congestion and road accidents due to unauthorised encroachments on highways. As the removal of unauthorised occupation often requires the assistance of district administration, including the deployment of executive magistrates and police, you are requested to extend the required support to the NHAI,” Official stated in his communication.
Sources within the transport department indicate that various forms of encroachment, such as unauthorised shops, roadside dhabas, garages, and houses, have been significant contributors to accidents and traffic bottlenecks on national highways. According to police records, out of the 5,467 road accident fatalities reported in the state in 2022, at least 2,043 occurred on national highways. The state’s directive aims to address these critical issues by facilitating the efficient and effective removal of encroachments, thereby enhancing the safety and efficiency of the national highway network. The cooperation between the NHAI and the district administrations is expected to play a crucial role in mitigating the risks posed by these unauthorised establishments.
In light of this directive, the district administrations are preparing to coordinate closely with the NHAI to ensure that the necessary resources, including executive magistrates and police personnel, are available to support the removal operations. This collaborative effort is poised to significantly improve traffic flow and reduce the incidence of road accidents on Odisha’s highways. By prioritising the removal of highway encroachments, the Odisha government is taking a proactive stance in safeguarding the lives of commuters and enhancing the overall infrastructure of the state. The success of this initiative will depend on the diligent execution of the directive and the sustained cooperation between state and national authorities.
