Former Union Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy has approached the Supreme Court, advocating for stringent actions against unauthorized constructions and encroachments on roads and national highways. Rudy’s plea, heard by Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih, seeks to reinforce and expedite efforts to clear obstructions that compromise road safety and efficiency.
During Monday’s session, Rudy, appearing in person, was permitted to participate virtually. He specifically addressed the issues on NH-31 and NH-722, vital routes that traverse his constituency, Saran in Bihar. His concerns are backed by substantive evidence, including photographs and GPS reports, which he has previously submitted to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
The plea highlights the adverse effects of such encroachments on infrastructure longevity, vehicular movement, and public safety. Rudy emphasized that these issues extend beyond local implications, representing a broader national challenge. He criticized the existing enforcement mechanisms as inadequate, pointing out that local authorities often overlook these violations, thereby exacerbating the problem.
In his submissions, Rudy called for enhanced regulatory measures, including the mandatory issuance of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for any new utility connection along these routes. He proposed the adoption of advanced technology solutions like drone surveillance and geo-tagging to monitor and address encroachments effectively.
On August 27, the Supreme Court had already directed MoRTH to form inspection teams for regular checks along all national highways to identify and report encroachments. The court also ordered the development of a portal for citizens to report encroachments, complete with the ability to upload photographs and location details.
