New Delhi: In a major road safety initiative, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has intensified its nationwide drive against unauthorised parking, roadside encroachments and other unsafe activities along National Highways. The move is aimed at improving road safety, ensuring smooth traffic flow and enhancing the overall travel experience for highway users across the country.
The initiative is being undertaken in compliance with directions issued by the Supreme Court and forms part of NHAI’s broader strategy to create safer, more efficient and obstruction-free National Highway corridors.
595 Critical Locations Identified
As part of the enforcement campaign, NHAI has identified 595 critical locations across various states where unauthorised parking has emerged as a major safety concern.
The authority has mapped these locations using precise geographical coordinates and is coordinating with state governments, district administrations and enforcement agencies to remove illegal parking and restore safe traffic movement.
Officials noted that unauthorised parking of trucks, commercial vehicles and other automobiles along highways significantly increases the risk of accidents and traffic congestion.
Illegal Parking and Encroachments Pose Safety Risks
According to NHAI, unauthorised parking and roadside encroachments continue to be among the major contributors to safety hazards on National Highways.
These activities:
- Obstruct smooth traffic movement
- Reduce carriageway availability
- Increase accident risks
- Create bottlenecks at critical locations
- Affect emergency response operations
The authority believes that systematic removal of such obstructions will substantially improve highway safety and operational efficiency.
Action Under National Highways Act
NHAI has also intensified efforts to remove encroachments from National Highway corridors under the provisions of the Control of National Highways (Land and Traffic) Act, 2002.
The authority has directed its field units to identify unauthorised structures, commercial activities and encroachments that affect the safe functioning of highway infrastructure.
Enforcement actions are being carried out in coordination with local authorities to ensure effective implementation.
Stronger Coordination with States
To strengthen institutional mechanisms for highway safety, NHAI is working closely with state governments for the establishment of District Highway Safety Task Forces.
The authority has also advocated the appointment of dedicated nodal officers who will:
- Monitor compliance with highway safety norms
- Coordinate with multiple agencies
- Facilitate enforcement actions
- Track removal of encroachments and illegal parking
- Address safety concerns on a continuous basis
Officials believe that improved coordination between highway authorities, police departments and district administrations will significantly enhance enforcement outcomes.
Audit of Advanced Traffic Management Systems Ordered
As part of the safety initiative, NHAI has instructed all its field offices to conduct immediate audits of Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) infrastructure installed across National Highways.
The audits will assess the operational status of key safety and monitoring equipment, including:
- Traffic Monitoring Cameras
- Video Incident Detection Systems
- Variable Speed Detection Systems
- Variable Message Signboards
- Emergency Call Boxes
The objective is to ensure that all technological systems remain fully functional and capable of supporting real-time traffic management and incident response.
Focus on Faster Emergency Response
NHAI has also prioritised strengthening emergency response capabilities along highways.
Field units have been directed to ensure:
- Adequate deployment of ambulances
- Availability of recovery vehicles
- Enhanced highway patrolling
- Integration of ATMS alerts with enforcement agencies
- Proactive maintenance of safety infrastructure
These measures are expected to reduce response times during accidents and emergencies while improving overall highway management.
Enhancing Safety for Passengers and Freight Movement
The authority emphasised that safer highways are essential not only for passenger travel but also for efficient freight transportation, which plays a critical role in India’s economic growth.
By removing bottlenecks and improving enforcement, NHAI aims to ensure seamless movement of goods and passengers across the National Highway network.
Officials noted that the initiative aligns with the government’s broader objective of modernising transport infrastructure while reducing road accidents and enhancing user safety.
Towards Safer National Highways
The latest enforcement drive reflects NHAI’s continued commitment to developing world-class highway infrastructure supported by strong safety mechanisms and effective enforcement.
With coordinated action against unauthorized parking, systematic removal of encroachments, deployment of advanced monitoring systems and strengthened emergency response arrangements, NHAI aims to make India’s National Highway network safer, faster and more reliable for millions of daily users.
The authority has indicated that monitoring and enforcement efforts will continue on a sustained basis to ensure long-term compliance and safer travel conditions across the country.
