Acting under the directions of the Supreme Court, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has intensified its anti-encroachment drive along the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), demolishing multiple illegal structures in the Banihal area of Ramban district. The demolition action followed a periodical inspection conducted by Shubham Yadav, an officer authorised by the highway authorities, who identified several unauthorised structures and illegal access points at Km 174+090 near Sherbibi on NH-44. In a major enforcement exercise, the authorities targeted tin sheds and temporary structures erected on the highway’s right-of-way and public land. Hardeep Singh, NHAI official and Incharge of the drive, said that eviction notices had been served to several individuals a week in advance, directing them to voluntarily remove the unauthorised constructions. He further informed that nearly 70 more individuals along the Udhampur–Banihal stretch of NH-44 were also issued similar notices after encroachments were detected during the inspection drive. Singh said the ongoing anti-encroachment campaign aims to enhance road safety, eliminate unauthorised access points, and ensure smooth and uninterrupted traffic flow on the strategically vital Jammu–Srinagar corridor. The drive, he added, will continue in a phased manner to ensure full compliance with highway safety norms and court directives. It is notable that the demolition drive on NH-44 near Banihal is part of a wider, ongoing anti-encroachment effort by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), conducted in alignment with Supreme Court guidelines that prioritize public safety and the removal of illegal structures from public land. The NHAI is taking action under Section 26(2) of the Control of National Highways (Land and Traffic) Act, 2002. This legislation provides the authority with the power to address and remove encroachments.