The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has issued a stern directive, instructing the removal of unauthorized businesses obstructing the expansion of Pune-Solapur National Highway 65, Pune-Nashik National Highway 60, and Pune-Satara National Highway 48. Property owners have been given seven days to voluntarily remove these encroachments at their own expense.
NHAI Pune has noted unauthorized encroachments made by some adjacent property owners within the limits of these three highways, impeding the ongoing highway expansion projects. Businesses operating without authorization have been identified on both sides of the Pune-Solapur National Highway within the 30m right of way (ROW) and 60m ROW areas.
Similarly, unauthorized businesses have been observed along both sides of Pune-Nashik National Highway within the 30m ROW and 45m ROW areas. The Pune-Satara National Highway has also seen encroachments within the 30m from the median on both sides.
The directive emphasizes that these encroachments and unauthorized constructions must be removed within seven days, failing which NHAI reserves the right to evict them under the National Highways Control (Land and Transport) Act 2002. The costs and penalties incurred during the eviction process will be recovered from the concerned property owners.
As part of the District Security Committee’s decisions, legal action, including the cancellation of business licenses, will be taken against those responsible for unauthorized constructions and breaking road dividers on commercial highways and service roads.
NHAI Project Director Sanjay Kadam urges everyone to refrain from unauthorized encroachments and breaking road dividers, emphasizing the importance of adhering to regulations to ensure smooth highway expansion projects.
