Banihal, Dec 19: The demolition drive launched by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) against encroachments along the Srinagar Jammu National Highway (NH-44) between Udhampur and Qazigund continued for the second consecutive day on Friday.
During the operation, dozens of unauthorized structures were removed from Jekhani in Udhampur to Halar in Qazigund.
The drive was carried out under the supervision of senior officials of the National Highways Authority of India, along with the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Banihal, SDPO Banihal, and officials of the Qazigund–Banihal Expressway. A heavy deployment of police personnel was also made to maintain law and order during the demolition operation.
According to official sources, the demolition is part of a sustained campaign against illegal occupations on national highway land.
The action follows an inspection conducted by NHAI’s authorized officer also Project Director NH 44, Shubham Yadav, during which over 80 illegal structures and encroachments were identified at various locations along the highway.
Meanwhile, the demolition drive triggered resistance from several residents of Banihal, who alleged that many affected individuals were not served prior notices by the NHAI.
They have claimed that shops and residential structures constructed on their private land along the four-lane highway have had their access cut off, causing them heavy financial losses.
The locals further alleged that protective walls were not constructed to safeguard several private buildings located near the Banihal Railway Station on NH 44, exposing properties worth crores of rupees to potential damage.
They also expressed concern that rainwater flowing from the highway during wet weather was damaging their structures.
When contacted, NHAI Project Director Ramban, Shubham Yadav, told Greater Kashmir that the demolition drive was being carried out in accordance with the directions of the Supreme Court of India.
He said the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued clear instructions to remove encroachments from national highways, and field teams including NHAI, administration and Police were strictly implementing these orders to ensure highway safety and smooth traffic movement.
The Project Director added that so far, more than 80 illegal structures and encroachments were removed from nearly a 100-kilometre stretch of NH-44 between Udhampur, Banihal and up to Hillar in Qazigund, while the remaining unauthorized structures were also being cleared. He asserted that the drive would continue in the coming days and that no one would be allowed to encroach upon the land of the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway.
