NHAI identifies nearly 600 illegal parking hotspots on National Highways
New Delhi, June 24
The National Highways Authority of India has intensified efforts to curb unauthorised parking and encroachments along National Highway corridors, identifying 595 critical locations across the country as part of a nationwide road safety drive, the government said on Wednesday.
The initiative is being undertaken in compliance with directions of the Supreme Court and is aimed at ensuring safer and obstruction-free movement on National Highways, according to an official statement by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways.
Unauthorised parking of vehicles, roadside encroachments and unregulated activities along highways pose significant risks to road users and adversely affect traffic flow and safety, according to the ministry.
To address the issue, the authority has identified 595 critical locations of unauthorised parking across various states and is working in coordination with state governments, district administrations and enforcement agencies to remove such obstructions from National Highways.
In addition, the highways authority has stepped up efforts to remove encroachments under the provisions of the Control of National Highways (Land and Traffic) Act, 2002.
As part of the initiative, NHAI is working with state governments to establish District Highway Safety Task Forces and appoint nodal officers to improve coordination among agencies and strengthen enforcement mechanisms.
The authority said these measures would help ensure timely action and facilitate continuous monitoring of safety-related issues across the National Highway network.
Moreover, NHAI has directed its field offices to conduct immediate audits of all Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) installations to ensure that key components -- including traffic monitoring cameras, video incident detection systems, variable message signboards and emergency call boxes -- remain fully operational.
Additionally, the authority is prioritising the deployment of ambulances and recovery vehicles, enhanced highway patrolling, integration of ATMS alerts with enforcement agencies and proactive maintenance of safety infrastructure.
According to NHAI, the initiative reflects its commitment to improving road safety and ensuring seamless passenger and freight movement across the country's National Highway network.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good to see the Supreme Court's direction being taken seriously. As someone who frequently travels between Delhi and Chandigarh, I've seen how illegal parking near dhabas and temples creates accidents. The ATMS upgrades are a smart move too.
But will they provide proper parking alternatives for truck drivers? Many stop because there's no rest area for miles. Just removing them without creating facilities will push them onto village roads, causing more problems. Needs a balanced approach. 😕
I work in logistics and this is a double-edged sword. Yes, safety is paramount, but many of these 'illegal' spots are the only places drivers can rest for hours. We need more toll plaza-like facilities with parking and basic amenities. Otherwise, it's just harassment.
Honestly, I'm skeptical. NHAI has announced similar drives before, and nothing changes. The real issue is the bribes taken by local police and NHAI officials to allow these encroachments. Until the corruption is tackled, this will remain a paper exercise. 🤷♂️
The District Highway Safety Task Forces are a great idea. Local coordination is key. In Tamil Nadu, we've seen that when district collectors take ownership, things actually improve. Let's see if this gets implemented seriously or becomes another bureaucratic excuse. 🇮🇳
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.