Vidhi Codex

Bare Act

The Goa Highways Act, 1974

Infrastructure197478 sections9 chapters

This law governs the management and development of roads in Goa and Daman and Diu. It aims to stop uncontrolled building along highways, known as ribbon development, and to remove unauthorized structures or encroachments that block or damage the road. The Act empowers authorities to construct, maintain, and improve these roadways while also allowing the government to collect betterment charges from those who benefit from new infrastructure. By setting clear rules for land use near roads, the legislation ensures safer, more organized travel and protects public rights of way.

Start reading →Read full ActSections

Chapter I Chapter I →

  1. 2Definitions

Chapter II Chapter II →

  1. 3Declaration of roads, ways or lands as highways
  2. 4Appointment of Highway Authorities
  3. 5Powers and duties of Highway Authorities
  4. 6Officers and servants of the Highway Authority

Chapter III Chapter III →

  1. 7Powers to fix boundary building and control lines of highways
  2. 8Map to be prepared and maintained
  3. 9Restrictions on buildings between highway boundary and building line and between building and control lines
  4. 10Appeal
  5. 11Exemption for works in progress, etc.
  6. 12Setting back of buildings to building line or control line
  7. 13Regulation or diversion of right of access to highway
  8. 14Powers of Highway Authority and officers and servants appointed under section 6 in respect of surveys
  9. 15Acquisition of land or right or interest in land
  10. 16Land required to be marked and measured
  11. 17Public Notice and other notices of such requirements for acquisition
  12. 18Persons required to make statements regarding other persons having interest
  13. 19Taking possession of land

Chapter IV Chapter IV →

  1. 20Lands forming part of the highway deemed to be Government property
  2. 21Prevention of unauthorised occupation of Highway
  3. 22Power to cancel permit
  4. 23Prevention of encroachment
  5. 24Appeal against notice served under sub-section (1) of section 23
  6. 25Recovery of cost of removal of encroachment

Chapter V Chapter V →

  1. 26Doing minimum damage in certain cases and compensation
  2. 27Determination of amount of compensation by agreement
  3. 28Determination of amount of compensation in default of agreement
  4. 29No compensation if similar restrictions in force under any other law or if compensation already received
  5. 30Compensation for refusal of permission to build not exceed difference between its value when it was refused and when it would have been granted
  6. 31Compensation for diversion of access not to exceed cost of alternative access
  7. 32Compensation for cutting of standing crops, trees etc.
  8. 33No compensation for unauthorised erections
  9. 34No compensation for removal of encroachment
  10. 35Reference against award of Highway Authority or authorised officer under section 28
  11. 36Procedure and powers of the authorities empowered to decide references under sections 35 and 44
  12. 37Superintendent of Police to enforce surrender or remove any encroachment
  13. 38Decisions of authorities under sections 35 and 44 to be enforced as decrees of civil court
  14. 39Payment of compensation awarded
  15. 40Adjustment of Payment

Chapter VI Chapter VI →

  1. 41Notice to owners and persons interested
  2. 42Inquiry and order
  3. 43Increase in value and betterment charges
  4. 44Reference against order of authorised officer under section 42
  5. 45Finality of order fixing betterment charges and of decision on reference
  6. 46Betterment charges to be first charge on land next to land revenue
  7. 47Payment of betterment charges
  8. 48Relinquishment of an exchange or land in lieu of payment of betterment charges

Chapter VII Chapter VII →

  1. 49Prevention of danger arising from obstruction of view etc., of persons using any highway
  2. 50Highway Authority to regulate traffic when highway declared unsafe
  3. 51Prohibition of use of heavy vehicles on certain highways
  4. 52Procedure to be followed when Highway Authority desires permanently to close any highway
  5. 53Consent of Highway Authority required to do certain acts on highway
  6. 54Prevention and rectification of damaged highway
  7. 54APower of Government to levy fees for services or benefits rendered on highways etc.
  8. 54BPower of Government to levy fees for use of roads etc.
  9. 54DPower of the Government to enter into agreement for development and maintenance of Highways and bridges.

Chapter VIII Chapter VIII →

  1. 55Disobedience of orders, instructions and refusal to give information, etc.
  2. 56Contravention of restrictions relating to access or erecting a building, etc.
  3. 57Unauthorised occupation of highway.
  4. 58Causing damage to highways.
  5. 59General provision for punishment of offences.
  6. 60Power to compound offences.
  7. 61Powers of revision of Government.

Chapter IX Chapter IX →

  1. 62Powers and duties of police.
  2. 63Duties of village officials.
  3. 64Power to utilise highway for other than road purposes.
  4. 65Summary eviction.
  5. 66Inquiries to be held summarily
  6. 67Registration of map made under section 8 not required
  7. 68Certain persons to be public servants
  8. 69Bar of jurisdiction
  9. 70Protection of persons acting in good faith and limitation of suit or prosecution
  10. 71Services of notices and bills
  11. 72Power to make rules
  12. 73Savings
  13. 74Provisions of this Act or rules to prevail over inconsistent provisions in other laws
  14. 75Buildings and control lines along National Highways and levy of betterment charges

PDF: pending for this language.