The Maharashtra Highways Act

S.13 Regulation or diversion of right of access to highway.

(1) The Highway Authority may, if it is considered essential in the interests of safety or convenience of traffic, regulate or divert any existing right of access to a highway across land lying between the control line and the highway boundary :

Provided that the existing right of access shall not be diverted until alternative access has been given.

(2) Where the existing right of access is diverted, the point at which alternative access is given to the highway shall not be unreasonably distant from the existing point of access.

(3) The Highway Authority shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, publish the date on which the existing right of access has been diverted and alternative access has been given.

S.14 Powers of Highways Authority and officers and servants appointed under section 6 in respect of surveys.

For the purpose of carrying out any of the provisions of this Act, the Highway Authority and the officers and servants appointed under section 6 may-

(a) enter upon, survey and take measurements and levels of any land ;

(b) mark such levels, dig or bore into the sub-soil of any land ;

(c) demarcate the boundaries of the highway by planting stones or other suitable marks in different colours of a durable nature at intervals all along the highway in such a manner that the imaginary line joining such stones or marks shows the road boundary correctly ;

¹[15. Power to acquire land, etc.- (1) Any land required by the Highway Authority for discharging its functions under this Act shall be deemed to be the land needed for a public purpose and such land may, on a request being received from the Authority, be acquired by the State Government for the said Authority under the provisions of this Act.

(2) On the Highway Authority approaching the State Government as provided under sub-section (1) with such requisition and the State Government being satisfied that for a public purpose any land is required for the building, maintenance, management or operation of a highway or part thereof, it may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare its intention to acquire such land :

Provided that, if the land intended to be acquired is situ

S.16 Power to enter or survey, etc.

On the issue of the notification under sub-section (2) of section 15, it shall be lawful for the Land Acquisition Officer or any person authorise by the State Government in this behalf, to-

(a) make any inspection, survey, measurement, valuation or enquiry ;

(b) take levels ;

(d) set out boundaries and intended lines of work ;

(e) mark such levels, boundaries and lines by placing marks an

S.17 Hearing of objections.

(1) Any person interested in the land other than the persons whose objections or suggestions have already been considered or heard by the Highway Authority in response to the notification issued by the Highway Authority under section 7 may, within twenty-one days from the date of publication of the notification under sub-section (2) of section 15, object to the use of the land for the purpose or purposes mentioned in that sub-section.

(2) Every objection under sub-section (1) shall be made to the Land Acquisition Officer in writing and shall set out the grounds thereof and the Land Acquisition Officer shall give the objector an opportunity of being heard, either in person or, by a legal practitioner, and may, after hearing all such objections and after making such further enquiry, if any, as the Land Acquisition Officer thinks necessary by order, either

S.18 Declaration of acquisition.

(1) Where no objection under sub-section (1) of section 17 has been made to the Land Acquisition Officer within the period specified therein or where the Land Acquisition Officer has disallowed the objection under sub-section (2) of that section the Land Acquisition Officer shall, as soon as may be, submit a report accordingly to the State Government and on receipt of such report, the State Government shall declare, by notification in the Official Gazette, that the land should be acquired for the purpose or purposes mentioned in sub-section (2) of section 15.

(2) On the publication of such declaration under sub-section (1), the land shall vest absolutely in the State Government free from all encumbrances.

(3) Where in respect of any land, a notification has been publish

S.19 Powers to take possession.

(1) Where any land has been vested in the State Government under sub-section (2) of section 18, and the amount determined by the Land Acquisition Officer under section 19B with respect to such land has been deposited under sub-section (1) of section 19C with the Land Acquisition Officer by the State Government, the Land Acquisition Officer may by notice in writing direct the owner as well as any other person who may be in possession of such land to surrender or deliver possession thereof to the Land Acquisition Officer or any person duly authorised by him in this behalf within sixty days of the service of the notice.

(2) if any person refuses or fails to comply with any direction made under sub-section (1), the Land Acquisition Officer shall apply-

S.19A Right to enter into land where land vested in State Government.

Where the land has been vested in the State Government under section 18, it shall be lawful for the ¹[Land Acquisition Officer or the Highway Authority or any person authorised by them] in this behalf, to enter and do other act necessary upon the land for carrying out the building maintenance, management or operation of a highway or a part thereof, or any other work connected therewith.

S.19B Determination of amount payable as compensation.

(1) Where any land is acquired by the State Government under this chapter there shall be paid an amount of compensation which shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(2) Where the amount of compensation has been determined by agreement between the State Government and the person to be compensated, it shall be determined in accordance with such agreement.

(3) Where no such agreement can be reached, the State Government shall refer the case to the Land Acquisition Officer for determination of the amount of compensation to be paid for such acquisition and also the person or persons to whom such compensation shall be paid :

Provided that, no compensation exceeding such amount as the State Government may by general or

S.19C Deposit and payment of amount.

(1) The amount determined under section 19B shall be deposited by the State Government, in the prescribed manner, with the Land Acquisition Officer before taking possession of the land.

(2) As soon as may be after the amount has been deposited under sub-section (1), the Land Acquisition Officer shall on behalf of the State Government pay the amount to the person or persons entitled thereto.

(3) Where several persons claim to be interested in the amount deposited under sub-section (1), the Land Acquisition Officer shall determine the persons who in his opinion are entitled to receive the amount payable to each of them.

(4) If any dispute arises as to the apportionment of the amount or any part thereof or to any person to who

S.19D Land acquisition officer to have certain powers of civil court.

The Land Acquisition Officer shall have, for the purposes of this Act, all the powers of a civil court while trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), in respect of the following matters, namely :-

(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath ;

(b) requiring the discovery and production of any document ;

(d) requisitioning any public record from any court or office ;

S.19E Deleted.

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S.19F Identification of area for Scheme.

(1) The Highway Authority shall be the Authority for the purpose of the Land Pooling Scheme.

(2) The Highway Authority may identify the area for the Scheme either on its own or based on the applications received from the land owners or persons interested.

(3) The Highway Authority shall initiate the Scheme for the identified area.

(4) The Highway Authority shall submit the proposal of delineating the boundaries and the area comprised in the Scheme in the prescribed manner to the Competent Authority.

S.19G Declaration of intention and issue of final notification of Scheme.

(1) The Competent Authority shall, publish the preliminary notification in the Official Gazette, declaring its intention to make the Scheme in respect of the proposal received from the Highway Authority as provided in sub-section (4) of section 19F, in the prescribed manner and within the prescribed period, calling for objections or suggestions, as well as the consent for voluntary participation in the Scheme, from the land owners or persons interested, whose lands are included in the Scheme.

(2) The land owners or persons interested shall submit their objections or suggestions, as well as consent, for the Scheme in the prescribed manner, in writing to the Competent Authority or appear before such authority, within prescribed period from the date of the publication of the preliminary notification in the Official Gazette.

S.19H Verification of title of land and extent of consent.

(1) The Competent Authority shall, verify the title of the land and extent of consent as provided in sub-section (2) of section 19G, covered under the Scheme, with reference to revenue records, registered documents other relevant records of ownership of land in the prescribed manner within prescribed period.

(2) The Competent Authority shall pass the appropriate order under his seal and signature, confirming the acceptance or otherwise of the land for the Scheme.

S.19I Disputed Ownership.

(1) Where there is a dispute over the claim of the ownership of any land included in the area under the Scheme, in respect of which a declaration of intention has been made, or any entry in the record of rights or mutation relevant to such disputed claim is inaccurate or inconclusive, in such cases, the Competent Authority may, hold an enquiry in the prescribed manner, at any time, before the final allotment of the developed non-agricultural plot or land.

(2) The Competent Authority shall, after giving an opportunity, of being heard to the land owner or person interested, pass an appropriate order, for the purposes of deciding who is the land owner or person interested for the purposes of the Scheme, under his seal or signature.

(3) The aggrieved person may, file an appeal before the competent revenue aut

S.19J Acquisition of land of land owners not participating in Scheme.

The land owners or persons interested, who have not voluntarily participated in the Scheme, the land of such land owners or persons interested, shall be acquired as per the law applicable for acquisition of land.

S.19K Publication of draft and final layout.

(1) The Highway Authority shall prepare the draft layout of land included in the boundaries of the New Town in the prescribed manner. The draft layout shall include all the land whether the land owners or persons interested has voluntarily participated or not in the Scheme.

(2) The Highway Authority shall, publish the draft layout of such land, in the prescribed manner, calling for objections or suggestions from the land owners or person interested, who has voluntarily participated in the Scheme.

(3) The land owners or persons interested shall submit their objections or suggestions for the draft layout in the prescribed manner, in writing to the Highway Authority or appear before Authority, within the prescribed period from the date of the publication of the draft layout.

S.19L Vesting of land with Highway Authority.

(1) The land in final notified area under the Scheme as provided in sub-section (4) of section 19G and the final layout as provided in sub-section (4) of section 19K, shall vest absolutely with the Highway Authority, as non-agricultural land, free from all encumbrances, on Class-I occupancy basis, for the development and implementation of the Scheme :

Provided that, notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, no premium or nazarana or share of unearned income shall be levied by the Government for transferring of any land held on Class-II occupancy to the Highway Authority under the Scheme, and upon such transfer, such land shall vest in the Highway Authority, as non-agricultural land, free form all encumbrances, on Class-I occupancy basis.

(2) Any person wrongfully occupying any land vested

S.19M Allotment of developed non-agricultural plot or land.

(1) The Highway Authority shall, allot the developed non-agricultural plot or land to the land owners or persons interested, who have voluntarily participated in the Scheme, as per the Scheme declared by the Government.

(2) The procedure of allotment of developed non-agricultural plot or land shall be in the prescribed manne

S.19N Land Pooling Ownership Certificate.

(1) The Highway Authority shall, within prescribed period, issue the Land Pooling Ownership Certificate (hereinafter referred to as "the Certificate") to the owners or persons interested, after allotment of the developed non-agricultural plot or land as provided in section 19M :

Provided that, notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, the ownership of the developed non-agricultural plot or land, shall be free from all encumbrances, on Class-I occupancy basis.

(2) The Certificate shall contain details of the original land of land owners or persons interested, details of the developed non-agricultural plot or land, including its original Ownership details, along with a map of developed non-agricultural plot or land.

S.19O Exemption from payment of registration fee, stamp duty, etc.

(1) No registration fee and stamp duty shall be charged from the Highway Authority for registration of the Certificate as provided in sub-section (3) of Section 19N.

(2) No non-agricultural assessment shall, be levied on the allotted developed non-agricultural plot or land under sub-section (1) of section 19M by the Highway Authority from the first allottee.

S.19P Power to take possession of land.

(1) The Competent Authority shall, take the possession of the land in the Scheme from the land owners or persons interested, to whom the Certificate is issued as provided in sub-section (1) of section 19N and hand over the possession of such land to the Highway Authority in the prescribed manner.

(2) The Competent Authority shall, take the possession of the land acquired as provided in section 19J, after ensuring that full payment of compensation as well as rehabilitation and resettlement entitlements are paid to the concerned land owners or persons interested as per the law applicable for acquisition of land. Thereafter, the Competent Authority shall hand over the possession of such land to the Highway Authority in the prescribed manner.

S.19Q Incorporation of land in development plan.

The Planning Authority shall incorporate the land of the final notified area of the Scheme as provided in sub-section (4) of section 19G and the final layouts as provided in sub-section (4) of section 19K, in the development plan of the New Town under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966 (Mah. XXXVII of 1966)

S.19R Responsibilities of owner of developed non-agricultural plot or land.

The owner of the developed non-agricultural plot or land shall be responsible for the following, namely:-

(a) for all the required infrastructure within the developed non-agricultural plot or land and for obtaining development permissions as per the law applicable;

(b) to obtain all other permissions and requisite ‘No Objection Certificates’ required for the development of the allotted plot or land; and

(c) to pay necessary fees and charges as per the applicable law and rules for the sanction of development permission before commencing any construction activity on the developed non-agricultural plot or land.

S.19S Implementation of Scheme.

(1) The Highway Authority shall implement the Scheme in the prescribed manner.

(2) The Highway Authority shall carry out the physical demarcation of roads and plots or land of the final layout.

(3) The Highway Authority shall hand over the possession of the developed non-agricultural plot or land to the Certificate holder as per the Scheme in the prescribed manner, after formation of the roads as per the final layout.

(4) The remaining infrastructure like street light, solid waste management, sewerage treatment facility, water supply, parks and play grounds and other amenities shall be developed by the Highway Authority in a phased manner.

S.19T Completion of Scheme.

(1) The Highway Authority shall publish notice of the completion of the Scheme in the prescribed manner within prescribed period.

(2) The Highway Authority shall also publish the details of the allotment of developed non-agricultural plot or land to the land owners or persons interested, in the prescribed manner.

S.19U Infrastructure maintenance.

(1) The owners of the developed non-agricultural plot or land shall pay for the usage, consumption and maintenance charges levied by the Highway Authority or local authorities or agencies responsible for the common infrastructure and respective services including roads, street lights, solid waste management, sewerage treatment facility, water supply, parks and play grounds and other amenities.

(2) The Highway Authority may maintain the common infrastructure facilities either on its own or authorize the local authority or agency with the prior approval of the Government.

(3) The Highway Authority may collect such necessary user charges for infrastructure maintenance, as may be prescribed in the prescribed manner.

S.19V Delegation of powers.

(1) The Highway Authority may, as it thinks fit, authorise and delegate its powers to any officer, for the purposes of this Act.

(2) The Highway Authority and the authorised officers shall exercise and perform such duties, as may be prescribed.

(3) The Competent Authority may, as it thinks fit, authorise and delegate its powers to the officer not below the rank of Deputy Collector, for the purposes of this Act.

(4) The Competent Authority and authorized officers shall exercise such powers and perform such duties, as may be prescribed.

S.19W Restrictions on development of land in Scheme area.

(1) After declaration of intention of the Scheme as provided in sub-section (1) of section 19G, no land owners or persons interested shall, without the prior permission in writing of the Highway Authority, construct, erect, build, excavate, etc., in the Scheme area.

(2) The provisions of sections 9 to 13 shall, mutatis mutandis, apply for the Scheme area.]

S.20 Lands forming part of highway deemed to be Government property.

All lands forming part of a highway which do not already vest in the State Government shall, for the purpose of this Chapter, be deemed to be the property of the State Government.

S.21 Prevention of unauthorized occupation of highway.

(1) No person shall occupy or encroach on any highway within the highway boundaries without obtaining the previous permission in writing of the Highway Authority or an officer authorized in this behalf by the Highway Authority.

(2) The Highway Authority or an officer authorized by the Highway Authority in this behalf may, with due regard to the safety and convenience of traffic and subject to such conditions as may be imposed and such rules as may be prescribed by the State Government, and on payment of such rent or other charges as may be prescribed under such rules, permit any person,-

(i) to place a temporary encroachment on any highway in front of any building owned by him or make a temporary structure overhanging the highway, or

S.22 Power to cancel permit.

(1) The Highway Authority may cancel any permission granted under section 21-

(a) if any rent or charge is not duly paid,

(b) if the purpose for which the permission was given has ceased to exist,

(d) if the land on which such encroachment has been made is required for any public purpose or such encroachment is causing impediment or danger to traffic.

S.23 Prevention of encroachment.

(1) When as a result of check of highway boundaries made or otherwise it transpires that an encroachment has taken place on a highway the Highway Authority or the officer authorized under sub-section (1) of section 21 shall serve a notice on the person responsible for the encroachment or his representative requiring him to remove such encroachment and restore the land to its original conditions before the encroachment within the period specified in the notice.

(2) The notice shall specify the land encroached upon and the time limit within which such encroachment shall be removed and shall also state that failure to comply within the specified period shall render the person liable to prosecution and also to summary eviction.

(3) If the encroachment is not removed within the time-limit specified in

S.24 Appeal against notice served under sub-section (1) of section 23.

Where the person on whom notice to remove an encroachment has been served under sub-section (1) of section 23 lays claim that the land in respect of which encroachment has been alleged is his property or that he has acquired a right over it by virtue of adverse possession or otherwise he shall within the time-limit prescribed in the notice for the removal of the encroachment, file an appeal before the Collector under intimation to the Highway Authority or the officer authorized under sub-section (1) of section 21, as the case may be. The Collector shall after due enquiry record his decision in writing and communicate the same to the appellant and the Highway Authority or such officer. The Highway Authority to such officer shall till then desist from taking further action in the matter.

S.25 Recovery of cost of removal of encroachment.

(1) Whenever the Highway Authority or the officer authorized under sub-section (1) of section 21 has under the provisions of section 23 removed any encroachment or carried out any protective work in respect of any encroachment, the expenditure involved shall be recovered from the person responsible for the encroachment in the manner hereinafter provided.

(2) A bill, representing the expenditure incurred shall be served by the Highway Authority or the authorized officer referred to in sub-section (1) on the person responsible for the encroachment or his representative with a direction to pay up the amount within a specified period to the authority mentioned in the bill.

(3) The bill shall be accompanied by a certificate from the Highway Authority or the authorized officer referred to in s

S.26 Doing minimum damage in certain cases and compensation.

In the exercise of the powers under the following provisions by the Highway Authority or any officer or servant appointed under section 6 or any other person authorised by or under this Act by the State Government, as little damage as can be shall be done and compensation in the manner prescribed by or under this Act shall be paid to any person who sustains damage in consequence of the exercise of such powers, namely :-

(a) the imposition of restrictions under section 9 ;

(b) the setting back of any building or part thereof under section 12 ;

S.27 Determination of amount of compensation by agreement.

The amount of compensation payable under section 26, the persons to whom it is to be paid and the apportionment of such amount among the persons interested therein shall be determined by agreement between the Highway Authority or any officer authorised by the State Government and the person or persons claiming interest therein.

S.28 Determination of amount of compensation in default of agreement.

(1) In default of any agreement under section 27, the Highway Authority or the officer authorised by the State Government shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, after holding an enquiry, make an award determining-

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(b) the amount of compensation to be paid under section 26,

S.29 No compensation if similar restrictions in force under any other law or if compensation already received.

No compensation shall be awarded,-

(i) if and in so far as the land is subject to substantially similar restriction in force under some other law which was in force on the date on which the restrictions were imposed by this Act;

(ii) if compensation in respect of the same restrictions imposed under this Act or substantially similar restrictions in force under any other law has already been paid in respect of the land to the claimant or to any predecessor in interest of the claimant.

S.30 Compensation for refusal of permission to build not to exceed difference between its value when it was refused and when it would have been granted.

When permission to erect any building has been refused under section 9 or 10, the amount of compensation shall not exceed the difference between the value of the land as determined by section ¹[19B of this Act] ²* * * and the value which it would have had if the permission had been granted. In determining such value any restrictions to which the land is subject under any other law for the time being in force in regard to the right of person claiming compensation to erect a building on the land or otherwise to use, hold or dispose of the same shall be taken into consideration.

S.31 Compensation for diversion of access not to exceed cost of alternative access.

Where the right of access to a highway has been destroyed as a result of the diversion or closure thereof and an alternative access has been given, the amount of compensation shall in no case exceed the cost of laying a new means of access from the property of the claimant to such alternative route.

S.32 Compensation for cutting of standing crops, trees, etc.

(1) At the time of an entry, survey or measurement or doing of any of the things under section 14, the officer making the entry, survey or measurement or doing any other thing shall pay or tender to any person entitled compensation for all necessary damage done as a result of such entry, survey, measurement or execution of the work, including the cutting of standing crops, trees, or removal of temporary structures, if any, on the land. If the sufficiency of the amount so paid or tendered is disputed, the officer concerned shall at once refer the dispute to the Highway Authority and the said Authority shall with the least practicable delay decide the dispute and pay to the person entitled the amount determined as compensation. The decision of the Highway Authority shall be final.

(2) If at the time of taking possession of the land under section 19 there are any standin

S.33 No compensation for unauthorized erections.

If any person has unauthorisedly erected, re-erected, added or altered any building on any land which is acquired for the purpose of a highway, then any increase in the value of the land from such erection, re-erection, addition or alteration shall not be taken into account in estimating the value of the land.

S.34 No compensation for removal of encroachment.

No compensation shall be payable for the removal of any encroachment.

S.35 Reference against award of Highway Authority or authorized officer under section 28.

¹[(1) Any person aggrieved by the award of the Highway Authority, or the Officer authorised under section 28, shall by a written application to the Highway Authority, or such officer, require that the matter be referred, to arbitrator appointed under sub-section (8) of section 19B.]

(2) Any such application shall be made within six weeks from the date of the award, and shall be in such form as may be prescribed.

(3) ²[ * * * * * * * *]

(4) The Highway Authority or the Officer authorised shall make the reference in such manner as may be prescribed.

S.36 Procedure and powers of the authorities empowered to decide references under sections 35 and 44.

(1) Reference under sections 35 and 44 shall be deemed to be proceedings within the meaning of section 141 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (V of 1908), and in the trial thereof the authorities empowered to decide such references may exercise all the powers of a civil court under that Code.

(2) The scope of the enquiry in a reference under section 35 or 44 shall be restricted to a consideration of the matters referred to the authorities mentioned in sub-section (1) in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

S.37 Commissioner of Police or District Superintendent of Police to enforce, surrender or remove any encroachment.

If the Highway Authority or any officer or servant is opposed or impeded ¹* * * * in executing any work or in removing any encroachment under this Act, the Highway Authority or officer or servant concerned shall apply in Greater Bombay to the Commissioner of Police, and elsewhere, to the District Superintendent of Police or such Police Officer as the State Government may empower in this behalf, and the Commissioner, the District Superintendent or the officer so empowered shall enforce the surrender, removal or execution, as the case may be.

S.38 Decisions of authorities under section 35 and 44 to be enforced as decrees of civil court.

The decisions of the authorities empowered to decide references under sections 35 and 44 shall be enforceable as a decree of a civil court.

S.39 Payment of compensation awarded.

(1) On the determination of compensation by agreement under section 27 or

(2) on the making of an award under section 28, or

(3) if a reference is made under section 35 against such award, after the decision of the Authority under that section, the Highway Authority shall make the payment of the compensation awarded to the person entitled thereto in accordance with the agreement, its award or the decision of the Authority empowered to decide references under section 35, as the case may be. ¹[The provisions of section 19C shall, mutatis mutandis, apply to such payment].

S.40 Payment by adjustment.

All payments due to be made to any person by way of compensation by the Highway Authority under this Act shall, as far as possible, be made by adjustment in such person’s account regarding betterment charges, if any, due from such person under Chapter VI.

S.41 Notice to owners and persons interested.

Where any work which the Highway Authority is empowered to undertake by or under the provisions of this Act is undertaken, the officer authorised by the State Government in this behalf shall give notice to the persons known or believed to be the owners of or interested in the lands benefited by such work requiring them to appear before him either personally or by an agent at a time and place therein mentioned (such time not being earlier than 30 days from the date of notice) to start their objections, if any, to the imposition and recovery of betterment charges on such lands :

Provided that no notice shall be given unless the Collector with the previous sanction of the State Government has declared that the value of such lands is likely to increase or has increased by reason of the construction of such work.

S.42 Inquiry and order.

On the date fixed under section 41 or on such other date to which the inquiry may be adjourned, the officer authorised under section 41 shall, after holding a formal inquiry and after hearing the objections, if any, stated by the persons as required by notice under section 41, make an order. The order shall specify,-

(a) the lands benefited by the construction of the work,

(b) the increase in the value of such lands by the proposed construction,

(d) the

S.43 Increase in value and betterment charges.

The increase in value on account of the construction of such work shall be the amount by which the value of the land on the date of the completion of the proposed work is likely to exceed or has exceeded the value of the land on the date of the commencement of the said work and the betterment charges shall be one-half of such increase in value.

Explanation.- For the purposes of this section, the State Government shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify-

(a) the date of commencement of the construction of any work,

(b) the date of completion of such work.

S.44 Reference against order of authorised officer under section 42.

(1) Any person aggrieved by the order fixing the betterment charges may, by a written application to the officer authorised under section 41, require that the matter be referred, if the land in relation to which the order is made is situate,-

(i) in Greater Bombay, to the Principal Judge of the City Civil Court or such other Judge of the said Court as may be nominated by the State Government in consultation with the Principal Judge ; and

(ii) elsewhere, to the Civil Judge (Senior Division) of the district within the limits of whose jurisdiction the land is situate.

(2) Any such application shall be made within six weeks from the date on which the order of the of

S.45 Finality of order fixing betterment charges and of decision on reference.

The order fixing the betterment charges made under section 42, subject to a reference to the Authority under section 44 and the decision of the Authority on reference under section 44, shall be final.

S.46 Betterment charges to be first charged on land next to land revenue.

From the date specified in the order fixing the betterment charges as the date from which such charges shall be leviable, or from such date as may be otherwise specified by the Authority under section 44 as the date from which such charge shall be leviable, the betterment charges recoverable in respect of any land shall, subject to the prior payment of the land revenue, if any, due to the State Government thereon, be a first charge on the land in respect of which such betterment charges are leviable.

S.47 Payment of betterment charges.

The betterment charges shall be payable on the date fixed under the rules made by the State Government under section 71 :

Provided that the owner of the land in which such charges are imposed may execute an agreement in favour of the State Government agreeing to pay the amount of such charges by annual instalments together with interest at such rate and within such period as may be prescribed.

S.48 Relinquishment of or exchange of land in lieu of payment of betterment charges.

Notwithstanding anything contained in section 47, the State Government may allow the owner of the land on which the betterment charges may be payable to relinquish the whole or any part of the land or to deliver it in exchange in lieu of payment of the charges, in favour of the State Government on such conditions as may be prescribed :

Provided that no such relinquishment or exchange shall be permitted unless the land is free from encumbrances.

S.49 Prevention of danger arising from obstruction of view, etc. of persons using any highway.

¹[Prevention of danger arising from obstruction of view, etc. of persons using any highway.]- (1) Whenever the Highway Authority is of opinion that it is necessary for the prevention of danger arising from obstruction of the view of persons using any highway ²[or from distraction of attention of such persons], especially at any bend or corner of the highway, it may, save as otherwise provided in section 11, serve a notice upon the owner or occupier of land alongside or at the bend or corner of such highway to alter within such time and in such manner as may be specified in the notice, the height or character of any existing wall (not being a wall forming part of a permanent structure), fence, hedge, tree, advertisement post, bill board or any other object thereon, so as to cause it to conform with any requirements specified in the notice.

(2<

S.50 Highway Authority to regulate traffic when highway declared unsafe.

If at any time it appears to the Highway Authority that any highway in its charge or any portion thereof is or has been rendered unsafe for vehicular or pedestrain traffic by reason of damage or otherwise, it may, subject to such rules as may be prescribed in this behalf, either close the highway or the portion of it to all traffic or to any class of traffic, or regulate the number and speed or weight of vehicles using the highway.

S.51 Prohibition of use of heavy vehicle on certain highways.

Where the Highway Authority is satisfied that any highway or a portion thereof, or any bridge, culvert or causeway built on or across any highway, is not designed to carry vehicles of which the laden weight exceeds such limit as may be fixed in this behalf, it may, subject to such rules as may be prescribed in that behalf, prohibit or restrict the plying of such vehicles on or over such highway or such part of the highway or such bridge, culvert or causeway.

S.52 Procedure to be followed when Highway Authority desires permanently to close any highway.

(1) Where in exercise of the powers conferred on it by section 50 the Highway Authority desires permanently to close down any highway or part thereof, it shall give notice of its intention so to do in the Official Gazette. The notification shall also be published in at least two newspapers, one of which shall be in the regional language of the place in which the highway is situated.

(2) The notice shall indicate the alternative route, if any, which is proposed to be provided or which may already be in existence and shall also invite objections, if any, to the proposal to be submitted within such time as may be specified.

(3) The Highway Authority shall finalise its proposal to close down any highway or part of it after considering the objections, if any, received within the specified time and sha

S.53 Consent of Highway Authority required to do certain acts on highway.

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other enactment for the time being in force but subject to the provisions of section 72 no person other than the Highway Authority or any person authorised by it shall construct or carry any cable, wire, pipe, drain, sewer or channel of any kind through, across, under or over any highway, except with the permission in writing of the Highway Authority.

(2) In giving its consent, the Highway Authority may impose such conditions as it may deem to be necessary, and may also impose a rent or other charge for any land forming part of the highway occupied by or applied to the proposed work.

(3) If any person constructs or carries out any work in contravention of sub-section (1), the Highway Authority may arrange for the removal of such work and restoration of

S.54 Prevention and rectification of damaged highway.

(1) No person shall wilfully cause, or allow any vehicle or animal in his charge to cause any damage to any highway.

(2) Where in contravention of sub-section (1) any damage has been caused to any highway, the Highway Authority shall have the damage repaired and the expenses involved shall, without prejudice to any other action that may be taken against the person responsible for contravention of sub-section (1), be recovered from him in accordance with the procedure provided in section 25 in so far as that procedure is applicable.

S.55 Disobedience of orders, instructions and refusal to give information, etc.

Whoever wilfully disobeys any direction lawfully given by any person or authority empowered under this Act to give such direction, or obstructs any person or authority in the discharge of any functions that such person or authority is required or empowered under this Act to discharge, or, being required by or under this Act to supply any information, withholds such information or gives information which he knows to be false or which he does not believe to be true shall, on conviction, be punished with fine which may extend to ¹[one thousand rupees].

S.56 Contravention of restrictions relating to access or erecting any building, etc.

Whoever erects, alters or extends any building, or make any excavation or constructs any means of access to or from a highway or does any other work in contravention of the provisions of section 9, shall, on conviction, be punished-

(a) with fine which may extend to¹[two thousand rupees], and

(b) with further fine which may extend to ²[five thousand rupees] for each day after such conviction, during which the offending structure or work is not removed, demolished or cleared and the site not restored to its original condition.

S.57 Unauthorized occupation of highway.

Whoever-

(a) occupies or makes any encroachment on any highway in contravention of the provisions of sub-section (1) of section 21, or

(b) fails to comply with the notice served on him under sub-section (1) of section 23 for no valid reason,

shall, on conviction, be punished-

(a) for a first offence with fine which may extend to ¹[one thousand rupees],

(b) for a subsequent offence in relation to the same encroachment with fine which may extend to ²[two thousand rupees] plus

S.58 Causing damage to highways.

Whoever in contravention of sub-section (1) of section 54 wilfully causes or allows any vehicle or animal in his charge to cause any damage to any highway, shall, on conviction, be punished with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees.

S.59 General provision for punishment of offences.

Whoever contravenes any provision of this Act or of any rule or order made thereunder shall if no other penalty is provided for the offence, on conviction, be punished-

(a) for a first offence with fine which may extend to ¹[five thousand rupees],

(b) for a subsequent offence with fine which may extend to ²[one thousand rupees].

S.60 Power to compound offences.

Any offence committed under this Act may be compounded by the Highway Authority and if any proceedings have been instituted against any person in any criminal court, then on the terms of the compromise being carried out, the composition shall be held to amount to an acquittal and in no case shall any further proceedings be taken against such person or any property of such person with reference to same facts.

S.61 Powers and duties of police.

Every police officer shall forthwith furnish information to the nearest Highway Authority or the nearest officer subordinate to the Highway Authority of any offence coming to his knowledge which has been committed against this Act or any rule made under this Act, and shall be bound to assist the Highway Authority and its officers and servants in the exercise of their lawful authority.

S.62 Duties of village officials.

Every village headman, village accountant, village watchman or other village official by whatever name called, shall forthwith inform the nearest police station or the nearest Highway Authority or any officer duly authorised by the Highway Authority, whenever he becomes aware that any survey mark or any boundary mark of any highway or any mark showing the building or control line determined in respect of a highway has been destroyed, damaged, removed, displaced or otherwise tampered with, or that any damage to any highway or encroachment on any highway has been made.

S.63 Power to utilise highway for other than road purposes.

The Highway Authority may utilise temporarily for other than road purposes land forming part of a highway which is not immediately required for the passage of traffic, and dispose of the produce of such land.

S.63A Power of Highway Authority to dispose land.

¹[63A. Power of Highway Authority to dispose land.- The Highway Authority may dispose the land vested in it in the prescribed manner.]

S.64 Summary eviction.

Any person wrongfully occupying any land,-

(a) which is a part of a highway,

(b) the occupation of which contravenes any of the provisions of this Act and the said provisions do not provide for the eviction of such person, shall be summarily evicted by the Collector in the manner provided in the Bombay City Land Revenue Act, 1876 (Bom. II of 1876), or in the Bombay Land Revenue Code, 1879 (Bom. V of 1879) ¹[or in any law relating to land revenue in force in any part of the State], as the case may be, on being required to do so by the Highway Authority or any officer authorised in this behalf by the State Government.

S.65 Inquiries to be held summarily.

(1) The Highway Authority or the officer authorised by the State Government in this behalf shall, if he desires to make any inquiry for the purpose of this Act, make the inquiry in the manner provided for holding a summary inquiry under the Bombay City Land Revenue Act, 1876 (Bom. II of 1876), or the Bombay Land Revenue Code, 1879 (Bom. V of 1879), ¹[or under any law relating to land revenue in force in any part of the State] and all the provisions contained in the said Act or Code ²[or law] relating to the holding of a summary inquiry, shall, so far as may be, apply :

³[Provided that, wherein any such law, there is no provision for holding inquiry in a summary manner, such inquiry shall be held in such other manner as is provided in that law.]

(2) The Highway Authority and an

S.66 Registration of map made under section 8 not required.

(1) Nothing in the Indian Registration Act, 1908 (XVI of 1908), shall be deemed to require the registration of any map made under section 8.

(2) All such maps shall, for the purposes of sections 49 and 50 of the Indian Registration Act, 1908 (XVI of 1908), be deemed to have been and to be registered in accordance with the provisions of that Act :

Provided that the maps shall be accessible to the public in the manner prescribed.

S.67 Certain persons to be public servants.

The Highway Authority, the officers and other persons authorised or appointed under this Act shall be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code (XLV of 1860).

S.68 Bar of jurisdiction.

No Civil Court shall have jurisdiction to settle, decide or deal or with any question which is by or under this Act required to be settled, decided or dealt with by the Highway Authority, the Collector, an officer or person authorised under this Act, any Authority under section 35 or section 44 or the State Government.

S.69 Protection of persons acting in good faith and limitation of suit or prosecution.

(1) No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall be instituted against any public servant or officer or person duly authorised under this Act in respect of anything in good faith done or intended to be done under this Act, or the rules or orders made thereunder.

(2) No suit or prosecution shall be instituted against any public servant or officer or person duly authorised under this Act in respect of anything done or intended to be done under this Act, unless the suit or prosecution has been instituted within six months from the date of the act complained of.

S.70 Service of notices and bills.

(1) Every notice or bill issued or prepared under this Act, may be served or presented,-

(a) by delivering or tendering it or sending it by post to the person to whom it is addressed, or to his agent, or

(b) if such a person or his agent is not found then by leaving it at his usual or last known place of abode or by delivering or tendering it to some adult male member of his family or by causing it to be fixed on some conspicuous part of the building or land, if any, to which it relates.

(2) Where a notice under this Act is required to be served upon an owner or occupier of a building or land, it shall not be necessary to name the owner or occupier, and the servi

S.71 Power to make rules.

¹71. Power to make rules.- (1) The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, and subject to the condition of previous publication, make rules to carry out all or any of the purposes of this Act.

(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, the State Government may make rules for all or any of the following matters :-

(a) the manner in which the notification may be published in the Village and at the headquarters of the ²[taluka, tahsil or mahal] under sub-section (2) of section 7 ;

(b) the other places at which copies of map may be open to inspection under section

S.72 Savings.

(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, nothing in this Act shall affect-

(a) the rights of any local authority to make any excavation for the purpose of laying, making, altering, repairing or renewing any sewer, drain, water course or other work ; or

(b) the rights of any authority appointed under any law for the time being in force for gas or water, electricity, railways, tramways or trolly vehicles to erect any support or make any excavation for the purpose of laying, making, altering, repairing or renewing any main, pipe, sluice, weir, electric line, duct, drain or other apparatus ; or

S.73 Provisions of this Act or rules to prevail over inconsistent provisions in other laws.

Save as provided in section 72, the provisions of this Act or rules made thereunder in regard to any matter dealt with thereby shall prevail over the provisions of any other law made by the State Legislature or any law which the State Legislature is competent to make or to amend, in so far as such law is inconsistent with the said provisions or rules, and such law to the extent of such inconsistency shall cease to apply or shall not apply to any such matter.

S.74 Building and control lines along national highways and levy of betterment charges.

74. Building and Control lines along national highways ¹[and levy of betterment charges].- For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that nothing in this Act shall apply to highways which are or have been declared by or under any law made by Parliament to be national highway :

Provided that if any highway is declared to be a national highway by or under any law made by Parliament, it shall be lawful for the State Government to fix ²* * * * the building and control lines for different portions of the said highway under section 7 ³[or to levy betterment charges under section 42 on lands the value of which has increased by reason of the construction or proposed construction of such highway ;] and thereafter the provisions o

S.75 Repeal and saving.

¹[75. Repeal and saving.- (1) On the commencement of the Bombay Highways (Extension and Amendment) Act, 1965 (Mah. XLII of 1965), the Central Provinces and Berar Regulation of Uses of Land Act, 1948 (C. P. and Berar Act XLVII of 1948), shall stand repealed :

Provided that anything done or action taken (including any notifications or licences issued, plans deposited, or restrictions imposed, applications and rules made, permissions given, or compensation awarded) under the aforesaid Act shall, in so far as it is not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, be deemed to have been done or taken under the corresponding provisions of this Act, and shall continue in force accordingly, unless and until superseded by anything done or any action taken under this Act.

(2) The mention of particular matters in this section shall not affe

S.2 Definitions.

In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,-

(a) "animal" means any domestic or captive animal;

(b) "building" includes any erection of whatsoever material and in whatsoever manner constructed (including a farm building for agricultural purposes) and also includes plinths, doorsteps, walls (including compound walls and fences) and the like ;

(c) "building line" means a line on either side of any highway or part of a highway fixed in respect of such highway or part by a notification under sub-section (1) of section 7 ;

The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare any road, way or land to be a highway and classify it as-

(i) a State highway (Special),

(ii) a State highway,

(iii) a major district road,

(iv) other district road, or

(v) a village road.

S.4 Appointment of Highway Authorities.

The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint for the purpose of this Act or any of its provisions any person or any authority to be a Highway Authority for all the highways ¹[in the State]or, in parts ²[thereof] or for any particular highway or highways ³[therein], specified in the notification:

⁴[Provided that, in case in any highways or highways notified under section 3, to be developed by or transferred, assigned, handed over for construction, maintenance, development or improvement to the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation Limited, in that case, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation Limited shall be the Highway Authority, for that highway or highways.]

S.5 Powers and duties of Highway Authorities.

Subject to such conditions as may be specified in the notification appointing a Highway Authority and subject to the general or special orders of the State Government, a Highway Authority shall exercise powers and discharge duties in accordance with the provisions of this Act for the restriction of ribbon development along highways, for the prevention and removal of encroachments and for all matters necessary and incidental to any or all of the above subjects. Also subject to the approval of the State Government and to such general or special orders which the State Government may make in this behalf, it shall be lawful to a Highway Authority to undertake the construction, maintenance, development or improvement of highways ¹[and development of New Town].

S.6 Officers and servants of Highway Authority.

For the purpose of enabling a Highway Authority to exercise the powers conferred and to discharge the duties imposed upon it by or under the provisions of this Act, the State Government may appoint such officers and servants as it deem necessary to work under such Authority.

S.7 Power to fix boundary, building and control lines of Highways.

¹[(1) In any area in which the provisions of this Act have been brought into force, and,

(i) where either any road, way or land has been declared to be a highway under section 3 or the construction or development of a highway is undertaken or proposed to be undertaken, and

(ii) the State Government considers it necessary to fix, as respects such highway, the highway boundary, the building line or control line, the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, fix, as respects such highway, the highway boundary, the building line and the control line :

Provided that, having regard to the situation or the requirements of a highway or th

S.8 Map to be prepared and maintained.

Within two months from the date of publication of the notification under sub-section (1) of section 7 fixing the highway boundary, building line and control line with respect to any highway, the Highway Authority shall cause a map to be made of the area through which such highway passes and shall cause to be marked thereon the highway boundaries and building and control lines and any other particulars necessary for the purposes of this Act and within one month from the date of making any alteration or addition thereto cause the said map to be corrected and such map with the date indicated thereon of the last time when the same shall have been so corrected shall be kept in the office of the Highway Authority. Such map, which shall bear the seal of the Highway Authority, shall be open to inspection. Copies of such map shall also be kept for inspection at such other places as may be prescribed.

S.9 Restrictions on buildings between highway boundary and building line and between building and control lines.

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any law, custom, agreement or instrument for the time being in force, on or after the appointed day, the following restrictions shall,

subject to the provisions of this Act, be in force, that is to say,-

no person shall, without the previous permission in writing of the Highway Authority,-

(a) upon any land lying between the highway boundary and the building line proposed to be

fixed under sub-section (2), or fixed under sub-section (1), of section 7, as the case may be,

(i) construct, form or lay out any means of access to, or from, a highway, or

S.10 Appeal.

(1) If any applicant is aggrieved by any decision of the Highway Authority under section 9, withholding permission, or imposing any condition, he may appeal to the State Government within 30 days from the date on which such decision was communicated to him.

(2) The State Government may, after giving an opportunity to the applicant to be heard, make such order as it thinks fit upon the appeal and the decision of the State Government shall be final.

S.11 Exemptions for works in progress, etc.

(1) No restrictions in force under section 9 shall apply to the erection or making of a building or excavation or to the construction, formation of laying out, of any means of access or works begun before the appointed day referred to in section 9.

(2) No restrictions in force under section 9, except restrictions as to the construction, formation or laying out, or means of access, shall apply to any land forming part of a burial or cremation ground or other place for the disposal of the dead being land which has, before the passing of this Act, been used for such purpose.

(3) No restrictions in force under section 9 shall apply to any excavation or works necessary in connection with any drains, ditches, or other drainage works for agricultural purposes or to any works necessary for the repair, renewal,

S.12 Setting back of buildings to building line or control line.

Whenever any building or any part thereof erected before the appointed day referred to in section 9 lies between the building line and the middle of the highway, the Highway Authority may, whenever any such building or part has either entirely or in greater part been taken down, burnt down or fallen down, by notice require such building or part when re-erected to be set back to the building line or control line.

S.1 Short title, extent and commencement.

(1) This Act may be called ¹[the Maharashtra Highways Act].

²[(2) It extends to the whole of the State of Maharashtra.]

(3) ³[This section shall be in force in the whole State.] The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, direct that all or any of the remaining provisions of this Act shall come into force in such area and on such date⁴ as may be specified in the notification :

Provided that the State Government may, by notification issued in like manner exclude any road or way or class of roads or ways situate in such area from the operation of all or any of the provisions of this Act.