The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has intensified its campaign to keep national highways free from encroachments, while simultaneously upgrading commuter amenities and strengthening grievance redressal mechanisms through technology driven initiatives.
As part of sustained enforcement measures, NHAI teams, in coordination with district administrations and law enforcement agencies, are conducting regular inspections to remove unauthorised structures and activities along highway stretches.
Stressing that encroachments not only obstruct smooth traffic movement but also pose serious safety hazards, NHAI officials asserted that the authority has adopted a zero-tolerance towards every hindrance which jeopardise safety of motorists on national highway.
Parallel to enforcement, NHAI is focusing on improving wayside facilities and commuter convenience. Emphasis is being laid on better maintenance of toll plazas, sanitation facilities, rest areas and signage to enhance the overall travel experience on national highways.
A key pillar of this citizen-centric approach is the ‘Rajmarg’ mobile application, which enables road users to access information on highway amenities and directly report shortcomings such as encroachments, potholes, poor sanitation or damaged infrastructure.
Complaints lodged through the app are geo-tagged, ensuring quicker identification and time-bound action by field officials. Users can also track the status of their grievances in real time.
NHAI officials assert that active public participation through digital platforms, coupled with strict on-ground enforcement, is helping build a safer, cleaner and more responsive national highway network across the country.
Appreciating the initiatives of the NHAI, Amit Narayanan, a tourist from Mumbai, told JK Global News that the Rajmarg app serves as a one-stop platform for accessing information and flagging shortcomings in highway amenities maintained by the authority.
He said the effective use of the app not only helps citizens contribute to improving basic facilities and curbing encroachments, but also incentivises public participation. “Commuters can even earn rewards by reporting unhygienic washrooms at toll plazas managed by the NHAI,” he added.