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 prior approval of the State Government give notice of its intention so to do in the Official Gazette. The notification shall also be published in at least one newspaper, which has circulation in 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 objection if any, received within the specified time and shall submit the final proposal to the State Government for the 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 modification, or reject it. (5) When the State Government has approved the proposal it shall publish its orders in 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 one newspaper which has circulation in the place in which such highway is situated and the highway or part thereof shall then be closed. (7) Whenever any highway or any part thereof has been so closed reasonable compensation shall be paid to every person who was entitled, otherwise than as a mere member of the public, to us such highway or part thereof as a means of access to or from his property situated on such highway or part thereof and has suffered damage by such closure.