Maharashtra Orders Removal of Unauthorised Hotels and Dhabas Along National Highway Land

The Maharashtra government has launched a statewide enforcement drive against unauthorised hotels, dhabas, eateries and other commercial establishments occupying the Right of Way (ROW) of National Highways. Authorities across the state have been instructed to identify such structures and remove or demolish those found to be operating without valid authorisation.

The move is aimed at keeping highway land clear of encroachments and reducing activities that could interfere with traffic movement and road safety. The directive covers National Highway stretches passing through Maharashtra and applies to urban local bodies responsible for implementing the order.

60-Day Deadline for Unauthorised Structures

Under the government’s latest directions, unauthorised structures already located within the highway ROW are to be removed or demolished within 60 days. District Magistrates have been assigned responsibility for ensuring that the action is completed within the prescribed period.

The order also introduces an immediate restriction on the construction or operation of new commercial establishments within the ROW. This means new dhabas, eateries, hotels and similar businesses cannot be established in these areas in violation of highway regulations.

The Right of Way is not limited to the portion of a highway used directly by vehicles. It refers to land acquired and reserved by the government for the highway and related infrastructure. Keeping this area free from unauthorised occupation is therefore important for highway operations, maintenance and future infrastructure requirements.

Licences and Approvals to Come Under Review

The Maharashtra government has also tightened the rules governing licences and approvals for commercial establishments located in highway safety zones.

Government departments, local authorities and other agencies have been instructed not to issue or renew licences, No Objection Certificates or trade approvals for establishments in these zones without prior clearance from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) or the Public Works Department (PWD).

Existing permissions will also face scrutiny. Authorities have been given 30 days to review licences already issued to establishments operating in the relevant safety zones and determine whether they comply with applicable requirements.

The measure could therefore affect businesses that have operated for years along highway corridors if their structures are found to occupy restricted highway land or lack the necessary permissions.

District-Level Highway Safety Teams Planned

The state has also decided to strengthen monitoring through dedicated district-level highway safety task forces.

A task force will be established in every district through which a National Highway passes. The District Collector will constitute the team, with participation from the district administration, police, NHAI or the concerned land-owning agency, PWD and local bodies.

The involvement of multiple agencies is intended to improve coordination when identifying encroachments, examining permissions and taking enforcement action. It also creates a framework for continuing oversight rather than relying solely on individual demolition drives.

Action Follows Supreme Court Directions

Maharashtra’s decision follows directions issued by the Supreme Court on April 13, 2026, in a suo motu matter concerning a fatal National Highway accident in Phalodi, Rajasthan.

The court’s intervention called for stronger controls over roadside commercial activity, land use and parking along National Highways. The directions also focused attention on the safety risks created when highway corridors are affected by unauthorised structures and related activities.

The Maharashtra government has now directed municipal corporations, municipal councils and nagar panchayats across the state to implement the requirements.

What the Order Means for Highway Businesses

The latest action does not simply target businesses because they are located near a highway. The key issue is whether a commercial structure falls within the officially designated Right of Way and whether it has the required approvals.

Businesses operating outside restricted highway land and holding valid permissions are therefore in a different position from unauthorised establishments occupying the ROW.

For travellers, the enforcement drive could gradually change the appearance and commercial landscape of several highway stretches in Maharashtra. For authorities, the larger objective is to ensure that land reserved for highway infrastructure remains available for its intended purpose while reducing potential conflicts between commercial activity and road operations.

The coming weeks will determine how quickly local authorities identify affected properties and begin enforcement. With a 60-day deadline for removing unauthorised structures and a separate 30-day review period for existing licences, the government’s directive places immediate responsibility on district and local authorities to act.