Chapter V REGULATION OF TRAFFIC

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, subject to the provisions of Chapter VIII of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 an officer authorised by the State Government in this behalf shall have the power to regulate and control the plying of vehicles on the highway for the proper management thereof. (2) If at any time the officer authorised by the State Government in this behalf is satisfied on the information received by it or otherwise that any highway or any part thereof is or has become congested or unsafe for vehicular or pedestrian traffic by reason of damage or otherwise, it may, either close the highway or such part thereof to all traffic or to any class of traffic, or regulate the number and speed of vehicles to be used on the highway or such part thereof, as the case may be, in the manner as it may deem fit.

Where the officer authorised by the State Government in this behalf is satisfied that the surface of a highway or any part thereof, or any bridge, culvert or causeway built on or across the highway is not designed to carry vehicles of which the laden weight exceeds a prescribed limit, it may, subject to such rules as may be made in this behalf, prohibit or restrict the plying of such vehicles on or over such highway or part thereof or such bridge, culvert or causeway, as the case may be.

Where, in exercise of the powers under section 22 or section 23, the officer authorised by the State Government in this behalf considers it proper for the purposes of that section to temporarily close a highway or part thereof or to restrict or regulate traffic on such highway or part thereof, it may do so in the manner as it may deem fit.

If the State Government or an officer authorised by the State Government in this behalf is satisfied that it is necessary in the interest of public safety or convenience, or because of the nature of any road or bridge so to do, it may, by notification prohibit or restrict, subject to such exceptions or conditions as may be specified in the notification, the use of any highway or part thereof by a class or classes of traffic either generally or on specified occasion or time as specified in the notification and when such prohibition or restriction is imposed, the State Government or such officer shall cause such traffic signs to be placed or erected at suitable places for the convenience of the traffic as may be prescribed: Provided that where any prohibition or restriction under this section is to be retained for a period of one month or less, such prohibition or restriction may be imposed without issuing notification in the Odisha Gazette: Provided further that the prohibition or restriction imposed under the first proviso shall be published widely for the knowledge of the users by other possible means.