The government is launching a national campaign to clear encroachments on national highways

An official memorandum directs regional officials, NHAI and NHIDCL to conduct full inspections, using tools such as DAMS, Rajmargyatra app and media-based analytics. | Photo credit: K Ragesh/The Hindu

The office memorandum stated that the regional officers of the ministry, NHAI and NHIDCL are mandated to inspect and survey the entire length of the national highways under jurisdiction.

It also directed them to identify unauthorized appeals to NHs, including through DAMS, Rajmargyatra app and media analysis reports.

Inspection and mapping

The memorandum suggested that removal of unauthorized occupations should be done in accordance with the provisions of the Control of National Highways (Land and Traffic) Act, 2002, Highway Administration Rules, 2004 and SOP dated August 7, 2025, if necessary, with the assistance of the local administration and police.

Unauthorized occupation on national highways is a serious concern for the government and special efforts have been made for identifying and removing such unauthorized occupations on NHs in accordance with the provisions of the Control of National Highways (Land and Traffic) Act, 2000, the memorandum said.

Technology-led monitoring

In addition to these measures, the ministry has also created a separate module for recording complaints of unauthorized occupation on the Rajmargyatra app and issued instructions for developing a Drone Analysis Management System (DAMS) on the Data Lake Portal maintained by NHAI.

Published on December 3, 2025