Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Shillong: Meghalaya district administrations are cracking down on roadside hazards. Officials in East Jaintia Hills and East Khasi Hills issued orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to clear National Highways of unauthorized vehicles and structures. The rules took effect immediately.
East Jaintia Hills officials targeted the stretch of NH-6 from Tuber Shohshrieh to Malidor. They cited unauthorized buildings that block driver visibility and increase accident risks. Trucks and heavy vehicles must now stay off the carriageways and paved shoulders. Drivers can only park in designated bays, lay-bys, or authorized wayside amenities. The East Khasi Hills order specifically mentions that the practice violates the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and the Control of National Highways (Land and Traffic) Act, 2002.
This push follows a Supreme Court order dated April 13, 2026. The high court ruling originated from a suo motu case regarding the Pahalgam accident. The court mandated that heavy and commercial vehicles stop using highway shoulders for parking. Local administrators now bear the weight of enforcement. Violators face legal repercussions under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. East Khasi Hills drivers also face penalties under Section 122 read with Section 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Enforcement is strict.
The East Jaintia Hills order stays in place until further notice. Meanwhile, the East Khasi Hills directive remains active for two months. Officials warned that persistent offenders will be held accountable. As the district administration noted, illegal structures and parking have been "obstructing visibility and hampering the free movement of vehicles, increasing the risk of road accidents and potential loss of life and property."
Comments