65 illegal structures demolished along Delhi–Mumbai Expressway

NHAI has demolished 65 illegal structures on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, citing safety concerns. Stricter enforcement and inspections are ongoing.

Published on: Apr 4, 2026, 03:18:05 IST

By Leena Dhankhar

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The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the district administration have demolished 65 of 90 illegal structures along the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway, officials said, adding that remaining encroachments will be cleared with stricter enforcement planned.

The move follows rising concerns over road safety on the expressway stretch, where unauthorised roadside setups pose a hazard. Authorities said many of these structures were operating illegally with electricity connections and temporary arrangements.

Officials have started disconnecting power supply to such establishments. In several cases, electricity lines have been cut and wires removed to prevent reuse. Authorities warned that any reappearing encroachments will be demolished and materials seized.

Officials said the 60-km stretch passing through Nuh district has been a focus area, where over 90 illegal roadside setups were identified. Teams are regularly inspecting the area to prevent fresh encroachments.

Many accidents in the past two years were linked to vehicles parked near these illegal establishments, especially truck halting along the expressway, officials said, adding that vehicles found parked illegally will be fined and towed away, while repeat offenders may face legal action.

PK Kaushik, project director, NHAI said that due to illegal dhabas along the Delhi Mumbai expressway, many trucks are parked on the main carriageway, leading to several accidents. “We had sought the intervention of Nuh administration and asked for action against such illegal establishments. The district administration has disconnected electricity connections of these dhabas and removed many such units,” he said.

Authorities said traffic police and regional transport teams will also conduct joint drives to monitor the expressway.

The administration has also urged people to avoid stopping along the expressway and to use designated facilities.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Leena Dhankhar
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest. Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents. Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure. Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing. Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity. Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations. Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling. A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.Read More

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