Procedure to be followed when highway authority desired to close any highway permanently

(1) Where in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 49 the Highway Authority desires to close down any highway or part thereof, permanently, it shall give notice of its intention to do so by notification in the official Gazette. The notification shall also be published in at least two newspapers, one of which shall be in Hindi language. (2) The notice shall indicate the alternative route, if any, which is proposed to be provided or which may already be in existence but shall also invite objections, if any, to the proposal so to be submitted within such time as may be specified. (3) The Highway Authority shall finalize its proposal to close down any highway or part of it after considering the objections, if any, received within the specified time and shall submit the final proposal to the State Government for approval together with such objections as may have been received against the proposal. (4) The State Government may either approve the proposal, with or without modifications, or reject it. (5) When the State Government has approved the proposal, it shall, publish its order in the official Gazette. (6) When the orders of the State Government have been published in the official Gazette, the Highway Authority shall arrange for further publicity to be given to the orders in at least two newspapers one of which shall be in Hindi language and the highway or part thereof shall then be closed.