Building a house or commercial establishment near a national highway may sound convenient, but it comes with strict conditions laid down by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Any construction that violates these norms is liable to be declared illegal and even demolished. (News18 Hindi/AI-Generated Image)
Under the rules updated in 2021, the minimum distance to be maintained from the boundary of a highway has been fixed at 7.5 metres. Earlier this limit was only 3 metres, but the revised guideline makes it mandatory for property owners to leave more space, primarily to ensure road safety and allow for future expansion. (News18 Hindi/AI-Generated Image)
NHAI has imposed a complete ban on any form of construction within 5 metres of the highway boundary, which means no house, shop or wall can come up in that restricted stretch. (News18 Hindi/AI-Generated Image)
Between 5-7.5 metres, construction is not entirely prohibited but can only take place after obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC). For this, the property owner has to submit an affidavit agreeing that the building may be removed if required for widening the highway. In both rural and urban areas, the rules further extend to the distance that must be maintained from the centreline of the road. (News18 Hindi/AI-Generated Image)
In rural stretches, this ranges from 22 to 40 metres depending on the classification of the highway, while in cities the distance requirement is between 18 and 30 metres. (News18 Hindi/AI-Generated Image)
Expressways are subject to even stricter regulations, with construction prohibited within 15 metres of the boundary and up to 60 metres from the centreline. (News18 Hindi/AI-Generated Image)
Officials point out that these rules are not arbitrary. They are framed to ensure smooth traffic flow, to provide room for widening projects, and to protect people from the heavy noise and air pollution generated by fast-moving vehicles. They also warn that any construction carried out without approval will be treated as illegal and subject to demolition. (News18 Hindi/AI-Generated Image)
In addition to NHAI, local authorities such as municipal bodies, panchayats or the Public Works Department (PWD) may impose their own conditions, making it necessary for anyone planning a building near a highway to check all local regulations before starting work. (News18 Hindi/AI-Generated Image)
The message from authorities is unambiguous: whether it is a small house in a village or a commercial complex on the edge of a city, no construction should be attempted near a national highway without carefully following the distance rules and securing the required permissions. (News18 Hindi/AI-Generated Image)
