The Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills, who also serves as Chairperson of the District Highway Safety Task Force, has directed that all commercial structures illegally set up within the National Highway right of way between 3rd Mile and 7th Mile in Upper Shillong be dismantled by July 15.
The order, issued on June 30, gives operators 15 days to voluntarily remove the structures, failing which authorities from the Public Works Department (PWD) and the National Highways and Infrastructure
Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) will carry out the demolition.
According to the order, the affected structures have been erected within the National Highway “right of way”-the land legally reserved for the construction, operation, maintenance and future expansion of the highway.
This includes not only the carriageway but also road shoulders, drains, footpaths, medians and utility corridors.
The directive also cites a 2025 Supreme Court
judgment on National Highway safety, which prohibits the construction or operation of new dhabas, eateries or other commercial establishments within the highway right of
way.
Authorities have warned that failure to comply with the order by the July 15 deadline will result in the removal of the structures by the concerned government agencies.