Action on Chakan-Talegaon stretch
Pune: The state public works department (PWD) and other agencies issued around 200 notices to establishments along highways connecting Pune with neighbouring districts, implementing the Supreme Court’s direction to clear encroachments within the right of way. PWD maintains around 1,825km of state highways in Pune district. The action follows the Supreme Court’s July 13, 2026, order on highway encroachments. The Pune divisional commissioner subsequently directed the district authorities to strictly implement the order and clear encroachments within 60 days.
You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Pune | Silver Rate in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune | Petrol Price in Pune | Diesel Price in Pune | CNG Price in Pune | LPG Price in Pune Stay updated with the latest Pune news.
Bharatkumar Baviskar, superintending engineer, PWD Pune, said, “The SC order is being implemented and the work has commenced along the highways through various agencies. Occupants have been told to remove the encroachments within the stipulated period. Officials said the current exercise would involve identifying the highways’ boundary, verifying encroachments, issuing notices and removing structures that remain after the stipulated period. “The objective is to keep the right of way available for road widening, drainage, pedestrian movement and other road-related requirements,” said another senior PWD official. The Supreme Court said new dhabas, eateries and commercial structures should not be permitted within the national highways’ right of way. PWD officials said their exercise was focusing on structures reducing carriageways, obstructing visibility, affecting pedestrian movement or blocking roadside drains. Citizen Renu Iyer said dhabas and other roadside establishments had come up at several points along highways, including near turns. The authorities need to clear these stretches before a serious accident,” she said. Another regular commuter, Raman Mohan, said while eateries should be there, they should be at planned intervals. NHAI officials said they had been carrying out regular inspections and patrolling to check encroachments and unauthorised parking on highways.
The drive covers Pune-Bengaluru, Pune-Ahmednagar, Pune-Nashik, Pune-Solapur and Chakan-Talegaon highways, besides Pune-Mumbai old highway. Notices have been issued to establishments found within the right of way. The work has intensified since last week. ” Notices have gone to roadside commercial establishments and other properties allegedly occupying the highways. The directive covers sheds, stalls, material obstructing traffic, advertising boards and other unauthorised structures. Encroachments at turns and junctions are also being examined. “It becomes difficult to negotiate turns near dhabas when vehicles are parked around them. National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has also stepped up action. Notices have been issued to occupants of sheds, permanent structures, roadside stalls, handcarts, advertising boards and other obstructions on Pune-Solapur highway. The Supreme Court had flagged the problem of highway encroachments and stationary vehicles, while asking NHAI about stronger monitoring mechanisms. Download the TOI App.