Latest news with #ControlofNationalHighways(LandandTraffic)Act
Hindustan Times
15-06-2025
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Two and three-wheelers banned on key NH-66 stretch as monsoon wreaks havoc in Dakshina Kannada
As relentless monsoon showers continue to lash coastal Karnataka, authorities in Dakshina Kannada have barred the movement of two- and three-wheelers along a crucial stretch of National Highway-66 — between Suratkal and Nantoor Junction — citing road safety concerns. The decision follows widespread waterlogging and infrastructural damage caused by intense rainfall over the past few days. Also Read - Karnataka Dy CM DK Shivakumar visits Air India plane crash site, calls tragedy 'heartbreaking' In an official directive, the district highway authorities invoked Section 31 of the Control of National Highways (Land and Traffic) Act, 2002, to enforce the ban and divert smaller vehicles onto designated service roads. The restrictions will remain in effect until the end of the monsoon season in September 2025. Officials stated that portions of NH-66 have sustained surface damage due to persistent rain since late May, making it unsafe for lighter vehicles. Additionally, a speed limit of 50 km/h has been imposed on all vehicles traveling through the affected corridor, in an effort to minimise the risk of accidents during the ongoing downpour. This decision comes in the wake of a red alert issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for coastal Karnataka, including Dakshina Kannada district. On Friday and Saturday, Mangaluru experienced intense rainfall that submerged several low-lying areas and disrupted daily life. Streets in areas like Car Street, Kottara, Lower Bendur, and near the Pumpwell flyover were flooded, while vehicles were stranded and residents reported rainwater entering homes. Also Read - Bengaluru woman witnesses rare 'peaceful accident': 'No fights, just handshakes' A bus had broken down on a waterlogged road near Pumpwell, and it had to be manually pushed aside by passengers and locals. The Padil railway underpass and other critical junctions witnessed severe inundation, throwing traffic into disarray and raising further alarm about infrastructure vulnerabilities in the region.
Mint
14-06-2025
- Climate
- Mint
Karnataka Rains: Several areas flooded in Mangaluru as heavy showers lash city, IMD issues red alert for coastal region
Amid the heavy rainfall since Saturday afternoon disrupted daily life, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for coastal Karnataka, including Dakshina Kannada district, reported PTI. According to several reports, various low-lying areas of Mangaluru city have reported waterlogging. Also, roads beneath the Pumpwell flyover were submerged, causing severe traffic disruptions. Officials stated that a bus broke down at a flooded stretch, prompting passengers and locals to push it to the roadside. Among other details, streets on Car Street, Lower Bendur, Kottara and few other low-lying areas have reported heavy inundation and flooding. The Padil railway underpass and parts of car street also witnessed flooding, affecting vehicular movement. With relentless rainfall across coastal Karnataka and nearby districts, highway authorities have restricted the movement of two and three-wheelers along a crucial stretch of National Highway-66 between Suratkal and Nantoor Junction in Dakshina Kannada district. The highway administration invoked Section 31 of the Control of National Highways (Land and Traffic) Act, 2002. In the official notification, the administration stated that the move was taken to divert two- and three-wheelers onto designated service roads for the ongoing monsoon period, expected to last until September 2025. They also mentioned that continuous rain since last month has damaged portions of NH-66, rendering it unsafe for smaller vehicles. Also, maximum speed limit of 50 km/h has been enforced along the stretch to minimise accidents. All highway users have been advised to adhere strictly to the speed limit and obey traffic diversion signs during the monsoon. Earlier, IMD issued red alerts for the district over the past three days with little rain. However, Friday's downpour was particularly intense. Until the morning of 16 June, the red alert remains in effect across the Dakshina Kannada district and authorities warned of continued heavy rainfall.
Hans India
14-06-2025
- Climate
- Hans India
Rain-Hit NH-66 in Mangaluru Closed to Two-Wheelers as Authorities Sound Monsoon Alert
Mangaluru: With the monsoon intensifying along Karnataka's coast, the Highway Administration has restricted two- and three-wheeler movement on the Suratkal–Nantoor Junction stretch of National Highway-66 in Mangaluru, citing safety risks caused by waterlogged and damaged road sections. The directive, issued under Section 31 of the Control of National Highways (Land and Traffic) Act, 2002, mandates that such vehicles use alternate service roads until the end of the monsoon period in September 2025. 'Continuous rainfall since last month has severely impacted the highway's surface integrity in certain sections, posing a threat to smaller vehicles,' an official statement said. The permissible speed limit between Suratkal and Nantoor Junction has also been capped at 50 km/h for all vehicles. Commuters have been urged to follow the advisory strictly and avoid unnecessary travel during periods of heavy rain. The region has been under a red alert by the India Meteorological Department, with low-lying areas in Mangaluru already experiencing flooding and traffic disruptions.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
SC promotes 'Rajmargyatra' app, directs NHAI to crack down on highway encroachments
The Supreme Court has directed the National Highways Authority of India to take effective steps to curb unauthorised occupation of highway lands and form surveillance teams of police officials to carry out patrolling. The top court also directed the Centre to give wide publicity to the availability of 'Rajmargyatra' mobile application on print, electronic, as well as social media. The National Highways Authority of India ( NHAI ) has introduced the 'Rajmargyatra' mobile application which aims to provide comprehensive information and efficient complaint redressal for national highway users. A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih said information about the availability of the mobile application shall be displayed prominently at toll and food plazas on 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. 'We further direct NHAI to report compliance regarding the creation of grievance redressal portal for reporting complaints relating to unauthorised occupation of highways . The compliance affidavits shall be filed within three months,' the bench said. The top court also directed the highway administration to issue a detailed Standard Operating Procedure regarding the constitution of teams for inspection of the national highways, including collection of data regarding unauthorised occupation of highway lands. 'We direct the Union of India to constitute surveillance teams consisting of State police or other forces. The duty of the surveillance teams will be to do patrolling regularly and punctually. Even this compliance shall be reported within a period of three months. 'We direct the highway administration and the concerned respondents who are members of the same to take into consideration the suggestions submitted by the amicus curiae on October 5, 2024 and take steps to implement the said suggestions,' the bench said while posting the matter for compliance on September 15. The top court was hearing a PIL filed by a person named Gyan Prakash whereby he sought various directions for implementation of provisions of the Control of National Highways (Land and Traffic) Act, 2002 and removal of encroachments from highways. Advocate Swati Ghildiyal was appointed amicus curiae by the apex court for assisting in the matter.
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Business Standard
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
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.
