Taking possession of land.

The Highway Authority may, after the completion of the acquisition proceedings, take possession of the land. At any time after the publication of the notification under section 15, the State Government may direct that the lands specified in the notification shall be taken possession of, or as the case may be, the right or interest specified therein shall be extinguished from such date as may be specified in the direction. From such date the said land shall vest absolutely in the State Government free from all encumbrances, or as the case may be, such right or interest therein shall be extinguished.