The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has restricted the excavation and removal of soil from land parcels within interchange loops, between ramps and carriageways, and in other similar areas acquired for national highway projects. The restriction applies to land located within the project Right of Way (RoW). NHAI said the measure is intended to prevent indiscriminate soil extraction and preserve land for landscaping, plantation, ecological improvement, drainage management and other highway-related purposes. The authority took the decision after observing that contractors and concessionaires were removing excavated earth from project sites to meet earthwork and filling requirements elsewhere in highway construction. The authority noted that unplanned excavation can create depressions, waterlogging and disruptions to established drainage patterns. It can also damage the condition of the land, making it unsuitable for plantation, landscaping or other intended uses and creating additional restoration costs. NHAI said substantial land parcels are acquired for infrastructure such as interchanges, grade separators, flyovers, ramps and associated highway facilities. Land enclosed within interchange loops and between ramps and carriageways generally forms part of the acquired RoW, where preserving suitable ground levels, soil conditions and drainage arrangements is necessary for effective utilisation. The circular prohibits contractors from treating such land as a borrow area merely because it is available within the project RoW or offers convenient transport access. The restriction covers ongoing as well as new projects, and officials have been directed to monitor compliance and prevent unauthorised removal of soil from the specified areas. The order does not bar excavation required under approved highway designs for foundations, structures, grading, drainage works, cut-and-fill operations or other authorised engineering purposes. Such excavation must remain within the approved drawings, levels and quantities and cannot be used to supply earth for unrelated construction activities. Any excavation beyond the approved design requirements will require prior written approval from the competent authority, supported by technical justification, proposed ground levels, drainage arrangements and an assessment of its impact on the intended use of the land.