Bare Act
The Tamil Nadu Highways Act, 2001
This law establishes a legal framework for highways throughout Tamil Nadu, empowering the state government to designate and control road networks and their adjacent land. It provides the framework for preventing illegal construction near roads, where occupants can erect structures without permission. The Act applies to all divisions declared by the government and remains in force from its appointed commencement date, with provisions for immediate validity if no date is specified. It matters because it ensures organized development of road infrastructure, protects public spaces from encroachment, and benefits both citizens and the state by maintaining road safety and enabling efficient transportation networks throughout the region.
- 1. Short title, extent and commencement
- 2. Definitions
- 3. Declaration of roads, ways or lands as highways
- 4. Declaration of divisions
- 5. Appointment of Highways Authorities
- 6. Functions of Highways Authorities
- 7. Power of Government to enter into agreements for development and maintenance of highways
- 8. Power to fix highway boundary, building line, control line, etc
- 9. Restriction on building
- 10. Exemption for works in progress, etc
- 11. Setting back of building beyond building lines
- 12. Regulation of diversion or right of access to highways
- 13. Preparation of maps
- 14. Powers of Highways Authority and other officers
- 15. Power to acquire land
- 16. Land acquired to vest in Government free from all encumbrances
- 17. Use of Land acquired
- 18. Right to receive amount
- 19. Determination of amount
- 21. Apportionment of amount
- 22. Payment of amount
- 23. Investment of amount deposited in the Court
- 24. Payment of interest
- 25. Power of entry
- 26. Prevention of unauthorised occupation of highways
- 27. Power to cancel permission
- 28. Prevention of encroachment.
- 29. Recovery of cost of removal of encroachment.
- 30. Restoration of Property to original state where it is dealt with in contravention of section 9.
- 31. Right to amount.
- 32. Enquiry into claims and award of payment.
- 33. Appeal to State Highways Authority.
- 34. Notice to owners and persons interested.
- 35. Inquiry and order.
- 36. Increase in value and betterment charges.
- 37. Reference against order of Highways Authority Under section 35
- 38. Finality of order fixing betterment charges and decision on reference.
- 39. Betterment charges to be first charge on land, next to land revenue.
- 40. Payment of betterment charges.
- 41. Prevention of obstruction of view of persons using any highway.
- 42. Highways authority to regulate traffic when Highway is declared unsafe.
- 43. Procedure to be followed when Highways Authority desires permanently to close any highway.
- 44. Prohibition of use of heavy vehicle on certain highways.
- 45. Consent of Highways authority required to certain Acts on highways.
- 46. Prevention and rectification of damage to highway.
- 47. Disobedience of summons, requisition, etc.
- 48. Contravention of restrictions relating to access or erecting any building, etc.
- 49. Unauthorised occupation of highway.
- 50. Causing damage to highways.
- 51. General provisions for punishment of offences.
- 52. Offences by companies.
- 53. Compounding of offences.
- 54. Cognizance of offence.
- 55. Power of Government to call for records and pass orders.
- 56. Delegation of powers.
- 57. Power of Government to issue orders and directions to subordinate officers.
- 58. Consultation with other authorities.
- 59. Duties of police officers.
- 60. Duties of Village Administrative Officers.
- 61. Power regarding discovery, production of evidence, etc.
- 62. Certain persons to be public servants.
- 63. Bar of certain proceedings.
- 64. Service how to be effected.
- 65. Power to exempt.
- 66. Power to make rules.
- 67. Power to remove difficulties.
- 68. Land Acquisition Act not to apply.
- 69. Act to override contract and other laws, etc.
- 70. Savings.
- 19(ii). Penalties for encroachment
PDF: pending for this language.