In a proactive move to maintain the integrity and safety of national highways, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has mandated frequent inspections of these vital corridors. This directive aims to prevent and promptly address encroachments that lead to congestion and contribute to road accidents. The ministry has issued a detailed standard operating procedure (SOP) following a Supreme Court directive on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) highlighting encroachments on the NH network.

Under the new SOP, inspecting authorities from the ministry, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) are obligated to identify and report any unauthorized occupations. These officials must then upload inspection notes, accompanied by visual evidence, to a designated portal for monitoring and action.

The frequency of inspections varies based on the officer's role. Regional officers are required to inspect highway stretches within their jurisdiction at least once every three months. Project directors and engineers overseeing project implementation units must conduct monthly inspections of the stretches under their supervision. Contractors and supervision consultants also bear responsibility for detecting and reporting encroachments.

To enhance monitoring objectivity, highway agencies will conduct drone surveys and aerial imaging, uploading the data to the designated portal. Quarterly drone surveys are mandatory during construction, while monthly surveys are required on highways passing through urban areas with populations exceeding one lakh.

Encroachers will bear the expenses incurred in removing unauthorized occupations, along with additional charges and penalties. The ministry's directive underscores its commitment to ensuring that national highways remain free from unauthorized occupation, thereby enhancing road safety and traffic flow. The move is also aligned with a Supreme Court directive that instructed the NHAI to develop a scheme for regular highway inspections and grievance redressal. The parliamentary standing committee on transport, tourism and culture also highlighted the issue of highway clogging due to encroachments like local markets and shops, advocating for an effective policy to curb such activities.