The Supreme Court told NHAI and the central government to take strong and decisive action to keep unauthorised people off the highway land everywhere. Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih warned that tough monitoring and enforcement are needed to block the unlawful use of space along national highways.
According to the judgment, the NHAI was ordered to create a surveillance team to patrol national highways regularly and at the proper times. Detecting, preventing and addressing any such volumes of highway land forms the objective. It was additionally mandated by the court that these teams develop a carefully designed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) outlining how surveillance should be carried out and how related data on invasions is to be collected.
The Supreme Court further urged the Union authority to suggest the ‘Rajmargyatra’ mobile app to people through print, electronic and social media. Thanks to this application provided by NHAI, highway users can get updates and news and make complaints with ease. The court also asked that info about the app be made easy to see at toll booths and food plazas along the highways.
The bench asked the Joint Secretary to submit a study of all complaints made through the Rajmargyatra app, especially those about unauthorised land usage and explain how they were addressed. In addition, the court advised NHAI to ensure a separate portal for assisting people who report illegal side occupations on highways.
The recommendations given on October 5, 2024, must be examined and applied where it is possible, the Supreme Court decided. Affidavits must reach the court within three months, and the next hearing is scheduled on September 15.
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