The District Magistrate of West Jaintia Hills has issued a prohibitory order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, prohibiting unauthorized parking, encroachments, and commercial activities within the Right of Way (ROW) of National Highways in the district.
The order follows directions issued by the Supreme Court of India in connection with a suo motu case concerning road safety and the regulation of activities along National Highways. The directive aims to ensure safer roads by preventing unauthorized use of highway land.
Under the order, heavy and commercial vehicles, including trucks, trailers, dumpers, and buses, are prohibited from parking on the carriageway, shoulders, medians, service lanes, or any part of the Right of Way, except at designated parking areas or notified truck lay-bys.
The order also prohibits the construction, establishment, operation, or expansion of dhabas, eateries, restaurants, shops, stalls, garages, workshops, temporary structures, or any other commercial establishments within the Right of Way without lawful authority. Additionally, no person may obstruct the Right of Way by placing construction materials, machinery, vehicles, signboards, hoardings, temporary structures, or any other obstruction.
Authorities have been directed to remove all unauthorized encroachments immediately. If the encroacher fails to do so, the competent authorities will remove them at the encroacher’s own risk and cost. The Superintendent of Police, PWD (National Highways), NHIDCL, Executive Magistrates, and members of the District Highway Safety Task Force have been instructed to conduct regular inspections and take enforcement action, including towing illegally parked vehicles and initiating legal proceedings where necessary.
The order, issued by District Magistrate Abhinav Kumar Singh, IAS, came into force with immediate effect on August 7, 2026, and will remain in force until further orders.