Functions of the Authority

(1) Subject to the rules made under this Act, it shall be the function of the Authority to develop, maintain and manage the state highway and any other stretch or any structure attached thereto vested in, or entrusted to it, by the State Government in the manner that the authority becomes preferably independent of Government funding for the maintenance of the highways within three years from the date it is set up. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions contained in sub section (1), the Authority may, for the discharge of its functions: (a) Survey, develop, maintain and manage highways vested in, or entrusted to it and to achieve where of the Authority will, inter alia; (i) prepare immediate and long-term plans for the maintenance and upgradation of the State Highways that are entrusted to it; (ii) develop a scientific Pavement Management system for systematizing the maintenance operations and also lay down the standards for design and construction of state highways; (iii) develop models for bringing in private and institutional, including international funding into the road sector. (iv) develop methods of performance based maintenance systems for maintenance of the state highways by quality private contractors; (v) raise institutional resources for undertaking the maintenance and up-gradation of these highway; and (vi) maintain and upgrade the highways as per approved plan while encouraging private partnership and resources for these purposes; (b) regulate and control the plying of vehicles on the highways vested in, or entrusted to, it for the proper management thereof; (c) develop and provide consultancy and construction services in the State and carry on research/training activities/human resource development/setting up of state level laboratories etc. in relation to the development, maintenance and management of highways or any facilities thereof; (d) provide such facilities and amenities for the users of the highways vested in, or entrusted to, it as are, in the opinion of the Authority, necessary for the convenience and smooth flow of traffic on such highways; (e) form one or more companies under the Companies Act, 1956 (Act no. 1 of 1956) to further the efficient discharge of the functions imposed on it by this Act; (f) engage, or entrust any of its functions to, any person on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed; (g) advise the State Government on matters relating to State highways; (h) collect fees on behalf of the State Government on such terms and conditions as may be specified by the State Government; and (i) take all such steps as may be necessary or convenient for, or may be incidental to, the exercise of any power or the discharge of any function conferred or imposed on it by this Act; (j) construct & maintain offices and workshops and establish and maintain hotels, motels, restaurants, and rest rooms at or near the highway vested in or entrusted; (k) construct & maintain buildings and townships for its employees; (l) promote public-private partnership to achieve the above mentioned objectives; (3) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed as: (a) authorizing the disregard by the Authority of any law for the time being in force; or (b) authorizing any person to institute any proceeding in respect of a duty or liability to which the Authority or its officers or other employees would not otherwise be subject under this Act.