&w=3840&q=100)
SC asks NHAI to act against highway encroachments, set up complaint portal
The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to implement effective measures to curb illegal occupation of highway land and to establish surveillance teams comprising police officers for regular patrolling.
The directive came during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Gyan Prakash, who sought the enforcement of provisions under the Control of National Highways (Land and Traffic) Act, 2002, and the removal of encroachments on highways.
Grievance portal and compliance deadline
A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih appointed Advocate Swati Ghildiyal as amicus curiae to assist in the case. An amicus curiae is an individual or an organisation who assists the court by furnishing information or advice regarding questions of law or fact, without being party to the lawsuit.
Promotion of Rajmargyatra app and toll booth visibility
The court also instructed the central government to widely promote the 'Rajmargyatra' mobile app through print, electronic, and social media platforms. The 'Rajmargyatra' app, developed by NHAI, is designed to offer detailed information and an efficient grievance redressal system for users of national highways.
The Bench underlined that information about the app's availability must be clearly displayed at toll booths and food plazas along highways.
"We direct the Joint Secretary (Highways) to file on record the details of various categories of complaints lodged on the 'Rajmargyatra' mobile application, including complaints regarding unauthorised occupation of highway lands and action taken thereon," the Bench said, reported news agency PTI.
The court directed NHAI to report compliance regarding the establishment of a grievance redressal portal for lodging complaints related to unauthorised occupation of highways. The compliance affidavits must be submitted within three months.
Surveillance and SOP for patrolling teams
It also directed the government to constitute surveillance teams comprising state police and other forces, specifying that these teams must conduct regular and timely patrolling. The court further stated that compliance with this directive must also be reported within three months.
The court also directed the highway administration to issue a detailed standard operating procedure (SOP) regarding the constitution of teams for inspection of the national highways, including collection of data regarding unauthorised occupation of highway lands.
The court directed officials to implement the suggestions submitted by the amicus curiae and posted the matter for compliance on September 15.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scroll.in
an hour ago
- Scroll.in
Assam: Two more arrested in crackdown on ‘anti-nationals', says CM Himanta Sarma
Two more persons were arrested in Assam in a crackdown on alleged 'anti-national and communal elements', Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Saturday. With this, the number of arrests in such cases in the state since the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam increased to 90. While Goalpara Police arrested Sanidul Islam for allegedly 'offensive social media posts on Lord Ram', Kamrup Police apprehended Saniur Rahman for 'inciting communal discord' through social media, Sarma said on social media. The attack at Baisaran near Pahalgam town on April 22 left 26 persons dead and 17 injured. The terrorists targeted tourists after asking their names to ascertain their religion, the police said. All but three of those killed were Hindu. Since the attack, the Bharatiya Janata Party government in Assam has been arresting persons accused of alleged 'anti-national' activities. On June 1, the chief minister said that 81 'anti-nationals' were put 'behind bars for sympathising with Pakistan'. On April 24, Sarma had said that the state would take action against anyone directly or indirectly defending the 'horrific, Pakistan-sponsored terror attack in Pahalgam'. This came after Opposition All India United Democratic Front MLA Aminul Islam was arrested on sedition charges for claiming that the Pahalgam attack and the 2019 Pulwama attack may have been the results of conspiracies by BJP leaders. Islam got bail in the sedition case on May 14, but was detained again under the National Security Act on the same day, PTI reported. The Act allows for long periods of detention without trial and suspends important rights of the accused person, including the right to legal representation and immediate information about the cause of the arrest.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
NIA Chargesheets Khalistani Terrorist & Gangster Goldy Brar Over Gurugram Bomb Attacks
Last Updated: The attacks occurred on December 10, 2024, when two crude bombs were thrown outside the Warehouse Club and the Human Club in Gurugram's bustling Sector 29 The National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a comprehensive chargesheet on Saturday against five individuals, including the notorious designated terrorist Satinderjit Singh, also known as Goldy Brar, in connection with the twin bomb attacks on two prominent clubs in Gurugram, Haryana, in December 2024. The chargesheet, submitted before a special NIA court, identifies Canada-based Goldy Brar and US-based Randeep Singh, also known as Randeep Malik, as the primary conspirators. Both Brar and Malik are currently at large and have been declared absconders. The other three individuals named in the chargesheet—Sachin Taliyan, Ankit, and Bhawish—are currently in custody. The attacks occurred on December 10, 2024, when two crude bombs were thrown outside the Warehouse Club and the Human Club in Gurugram's bustling Sector 29. Although no fatalities occurred, the incident caused panic and minor damage, prompting immediate investigations. The NIA's findings reveal that these bombings were part of a deep-rooted terror conspiracy orchestrated by the banned terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). Goldy Brar, a key figure in the Khalistani terror network, along with his associates, allegedly masterminded these attacks. According to the NIA, the primary aim was to incite communal tensions and destabilise peace in Haryana and its neighbouring regions by unleashing violence. The investigation also uncovered that this terror syndicate is engaged in various illegal activities, including extortion, raising terror funds, and procuring explosives, arms, and ammunition. These activities are aimed at promoting terror among the public and undermining India's integrity, security (including economic security), and sovereignty, the agency says. The accused face charges under several stringent sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Arms Act, the Explosive Substances Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The NIA has indicated that further investigations into the broader terror conspiracy, which extends beyond these specific bombings, are ongoing. First Published:
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
NIA files chargesheet against Goldy Brar, 4 others in Gurgaon clubs bombing case
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against five accused, including the designated individual terrorist Goldy Brar, in a 2024 case relating to bomb attacks at two clubs in Gurgaon. In a statement issued on Saturday, the NIA said that it has 'charged Canada based Satinderjit Singh @ Goldy Brar, along with Sachin Taliyan, Ankit, Bhawish and US based Randeep Singh @ Randeep Malik, under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Arms Act, Explosives Substance Act, and UA (P) Act. Barring Goldy Brar and Randeep Malik, all others have been arrested in the case.' The NIA added that it had 'found the accused to be involved in conspiracy to target Warehouse Club and Human Club in Sector 29, Gurugram with bombs, as part of the Babbar Khalistani International (BKI) larger conspiracy to spread communal disharmony and disrupt peace in the state of Haryana and neighbouring regions by unleashing violence. The attack, perpetrated by members and cadres of the proscribed BKI terror outfit, took place on December 10, 2024. NIA investigations later revealed that the deep-rooted terror conspiracy was hatched by Goldy Brar and his associates.' An NIA officer said, 'The terror syndicate is actively involved in extorting money, raising terror funds, procuring explosives and arms and ammunition, and promoting terror amongst the common people to threaten the integrity, security (including economic security), and sovereignty of the country. The anti-terror agency is continuing with its probe in the case.'
