Setting back projecting building walls

(1) When any building or part thereof abutting on a public street is within a street alignment defined under section 257, the Commissioner may, whenever it is proposed, --

1. (a) to rebuild such building or take it down to an extent exceeding one-half thereof above the ground level, such half to be measured in cubic metres, or
2. (b) to remove, reconstruct or make any addition to any portion of such building which is within the street alignment, in any order which he issues concerning the rebuilding, alteration or repair of such building, require such building, to be set back to the street alignment.

1. (2) When any building or any part thereof within the street alignment falls down or is, whether by order of the Commissioner or otherwise, taken down, or when any private land without any building thereon lies within the street alignment, the Commissioner may forthwith take possession on behalf of the council of the portion of land within the street alignment and if necessary, clear it.
2. (3) Land acquired under this section shall be deemed a part of the public street and shall vest in the municipal council.
3. (4) When any building is set back in pursuance of any requisition made under sub-section (1), or when the Commissioner takes possession of any land under sub-section (2), the council shall make compensation to the owner for any direct damage which he may sustain thereby. Explanation. – For the purposes of this section, the expression “direct damage” with reference to land means the market value of the land taken and the depreciation, if any, in the ordinary market value of the rest of the land resulting from the area being reduced in size; but does not include damage due to the prospective loss of any particular use to which the owner may allege that he intended to put the land, although such use may be injuriously affected by the reduction of the site.