Banihal, Dec 18: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has intensified its anti-encroachment drive along the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), demolishing dozens of “illegal structures” in the Banihal and Sherbibi areas on Thursday.
The operation was conducted under the supervision of NHAI officials, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Banihal Mohammad Naseeb and SHO Banihal Ashiq Bukhari, with adequate police presence to maintain law and order.
Officials said the demolition is part of a sustained campaign against unauthorized occupations on highway land, initiated after periodic inspections across the Ramban and Udhampur districts.
A few weeks earlier, an inspection carried out by Shubham Yadav, Officer Authorized by the Highway Administration and Project Director, NH-44 (Ramban Headquarters), revealed over 70 illegal structures and unauthorized access points at multiple locations along NH-44 in both districts.
According to officials, the ongoing action is being taken in compliance with directions of the Supreme Court of India, following which the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways instructed NHAI to remove encroachments from national highways. NHAI authorities said they are strictly implementing these directions to ensure road safety and smooth traffic flow.
The Jammu–Srinagar National Highway is a strategically vital road link, and officials reiterated that the anti-encroachment drive will continue in the coming days to prevent illegal occupations, reduce accident risks and facilitate uninterrupted movement of vehicles along NH-44.