Palghar, August 18: The district administration has taken a firm stance against unauthorized constructions and encroachments along the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway. District Collector Dr. Indu Rani Jakhad has instructed the National Highway Authority to remove all identified encroachments within 15 days.
A review meeting chaired by Dr. Jakhad focused on the actions taken by the National Highway Authority and the delays in removing these encroachments. The Collector expressed dissatisfaction with the explanations provided by officials regarding the delays and demanded immediate acceleration of the removal process.
Dr. Jakhad emphasized that once the highway’s boundaries are established, it is the responsibility of the National Highway Authority to remove any unauthorized constructions and encroachments in that area. Attempts to delay action or evade responsibility citing jurisdiction will not be tolerated.
The administration has directed a direct inspection of all areas adjacent to the highway to identify encroachments. The determination of these encroachments will be based on right-of-way and control lines. The jurisdiction of the National Highway Authority, the Forest Department, Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation, and the relevant Tehsildars will be clearly defined for this purpose.
Specific instructions have been given to identify and promptly remove encroachments in the Tungareshwar area and within the highway’s boundaries. The Forest Department has also been asked to report on encroached areas under its jurisdiction.
The Collector has mandated the completion of the removal process for identified unauthorized constructions and encroachments within 15 days. A clear action report must be submitted to the district administration to track how many encroachments were identified and how many have been acted upon.
To prevent any law-and-order issues during the removal process, the police administration has been instructed to provide necessary support and police force. Coordination with the competent authority is also required to issue legal notices and complete other necessary legal procedures promptly.
Dr. Jakhad stated that the responsibility of removing encroachments cannot be left to a single department. All relevant departments must work together in coordination. There should be no delays in action due to inter-departmental correspondence or disputes regarding jurisdiction.
The district administration will regularly monitor the entire encroachment removal campaign. Progress will be reviewed in a timely manner, and compliance reports will be collected from the relevant departments.
The Collector also made it clear that any negligence, delays, or procrastination from any department despite these instructions will be taken seriously, and the matter will be brought to the attention of senior officials of the concerned department.
Following this strict stance from the administration, significant actions against illegal constructions and encroachments along the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway-48 are expected in the coming days.
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