NMC on 100-day mission mode to free city streets of squatters Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has launched a 100-day mission to address widespread encroachments on city roads and footpaths, aiming to reclaim public spaces for pedestrians and legal vendors. The initiative, announced following a high-level meeting chaired by municipal commissioner Vipin Itankar, involves coordination among multiple agencies including the enforcement department, police, district administration, NHAI, Nagpur Improvement Trust, and public works departments. The plan emphasizes a multi-agency strategy to tackle illegal constructions, dumped construction materials, unauthorized hoardings, and blocked footpaths. According to an official statement released on Saturday, the NMC will begin with a comprehensive survey to identify encroachments across roads under its jurisdiction, as well as those managed by NHAI and PWD. The mission includes the removal of illegal structures, clearance of construction debris, and action against unauthorised sky-signs and hoardings. Officials have also been directed to leverage technology for mapping and monitoring, alongside police support to ensure smooth operations. The administration claims the initiative aims to create obstruction-free roads while providing designated spaces for hawkers and vendors to operate legally. However, the decision to launch a time-bound "mission" has drawn criticism for highlighting persistent gaps in the NMC’s routine enforcement. Encroachments have long plagued Nagpur’s roads, with pedestrians frequently forced onto traffic lanes due to blocked footpaths. Illegal hoardings and unregulated construction have continued to proliferate despite previous anti-encroachment drives, raising concerns about weak enforcement and lack of sustained monitoring.#nagpur #nagpur_municipal_corporation #nagpur_improvement_trust #vipin_itankar #nhai
Delhi-Dehradun Expressway Delayed by Land Dispute Over Mandola House A two-story house in Mandola village, located on the main ramp of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, has become the biggest obstacle to the project’s completion. The structure, named "Swabhiman," is blocking the construction of the expressway, which is set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 14, 2026. The dispute has been ongoing for over two decades, with the family of the house’s original owner, Virsen Saroha, locked in a legal battle since 1998. The NHAI (National Highways Authority of India) requires approximately 1,600 square meters of land to complete the main ramp, but the house occupies nearly 1,000 square meters. The remaining 600 square meters are disputed, with the family arguing that they should be compensated at current market rates rather than the rates applicable at the time the project was initiated. Family member Pooja Nehra stated that the government’s acquisition of land for the expressway has displaced the family, and they demand fair compensation based on present-day valuations. The conflict dates back to 1998 when the Uttar Pradesh Housing Development Board issued a notice to acquire land for the Mandola Housing Scheme. While most farmers complied, Virsen Saroha contested the decision and appealed to the High Court, which initially halted the acquisition. The government later shifted focus to the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, transferring the disputed land to the NHAI. However, the house remains in its original location, directly in the path of the main ramp. To mitigate the issue, the NHAI has begun constructing an alternative route using an old housing development road.#supreme_court #nhai #delhi_dehradun_expressway #mandola_house #virsen_saroha
NHAI Summer Internship 2026: Registration Begins for Stipend-Driven Program The National Highways Authority of India has initiated registration for its Summer Internship Programme 2026, offering students practical exposure to infrastructure development through hands-on training on national highway projects. The initiative invites applications from students across various disciplines, with the goal of providing real-world experience in the planning, execution, and management of large-scale highway projects. Candidates can apply through the official internship portal, with the last date for submissions set as April 15, 2026, at internshipsatnhai.digitalindiacorporation.in. The internship will run for two months, during which selected participants will be placed at NHAI field offices and headquarters. Under the supervision of senior officials and project teams, interns will engage in tasks such as highway design, traffic planning, construction supervision, and support roles in analytics, IT systems, toll operations, legal work, and project management. The program is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students in civil engineering, as well as those pursuing degrees in computer science, IT, electronics, data science, finance, law, management, commerce, and mass communication. Selected interns will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 20,000 and a certificate upon successful completion. Additionally, the internship includes on-site learning opportunities, allowing students to gain direct exposure to infrastructure projects, technological applications, and industry best practices. NHAI plans to engage approximately 500 interns annually under this initiative.#national_highways_authority_of_india #nhai #all_india_council_for_technical_education #summer_internship_2026 #department_of_higher_education
NHAI, Forest Dept Sign MoU to Develop Jamtha Interchange as Biodiversity Zone The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Maharashtra forest department have entered into a memorandum of understanding to transform the Jamtha Cloverleaf Interchange (Leaf No. 01) into a recreational biodiversity zone and aviation park. The project, spanning nearly 10 hectares along NH-44, is estimated to cost ₹34 crore. The initiative aims to promote eco-tourism while enhancing urban biodiversity through sustainable development. Key components of the plan include bird-friendly landscaping, eco-sensitive infrastructure, and walk-through aviaries designed to accommodate parrots and tropical species. The development will also feature dedicated enclosures for wildlife, along with facilities such as a bird hospital, quarantine units, and chick nurseries to support conservation efforts. Habitat restoration will focus on native vegetation, ensuring the preservation of local ecosystems. The site will incorporate advanced facilities like feed preparation units, temperature-controlled storage systems, water treatment and recycling infrastructure, and scientific waste management solutions. These measures are intended to minimize environmental impact while ensuring the long-term viability of the project. Visitor amenities such as an information and education center, cafeteria, souvenir shop, and public utilities will be included to improve accessibility and raise awareness about biodiversity conservation. Security measures, including fencing, surveillance systems, and guard posts, will be implemented to protect the area. Officials emphasized that the project reflects a growing commitment to integrating green infrastructure with highway development, fostering sustainable urban growth in Nagpur.#nagpur #nhai #maharashtra_forest_department #jamtha_interchange #biodiversity_zone
Pachpaoli chokes for hours as crane work for flyover crawls Nagpur: A major traffic jam gripped Pachpaoli on Sunday as a 700-tonne crane blocked a narrow stretch near a railway crossing, leaving commuters stranded for several hours. The incident has sparked fresh outrage among local residents and motorists, who have criticized the safety measures and planning for the ongoing Rs998-crore Indora-Dighori flyover project. The chaos added to a growing list of complaints about the project’s execution, which is being managed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The crane was deployed late on Saturday night to carry out critical work over the railway crossings, according to a senior official from the contractor’s firm. The official explained that the installation and removal process for the crane each took nearly four hours due to the heavy counterweights involved. The team had hoped for less traffic on Sunday morning, but the late deployment led to delays in the removal process, exacerbating the gridlock. The crane was finally removed by 12 noon, resolving the issue. The official noted that the road would need to be closed multiple times in the coming days as work continues, with the project expected to be completed by June. However, the incident has raised concerns about the project’s impact on daily life. Local residents and activists have accused authorities of poor coordination and a lack of preparedness for traffic disruptions. Many questioned why such large-scale operations were conducted without adequate traffic diversion plans or prior public notice. Protests were also organized by a political group, with locals demanding accountability for the disruptions.#nagpur #pachpaoli #indora_dighori #national_highways_authority_of_india #nhai
