Chapter V REGULATION OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF TRAFFIC ON NATIONAL HIGHWAYS

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the Highway Administration 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 Highway Administration is satisfied on the information received by it or otherwise that any Highway within its jurisdiction 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.

[Content provided in the Act as per the structure] Where the Highway Administration 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.

[Content provided in the Act as per the structure] Where, in exercise of the powers under section 31 or section 32, the Highway Administration 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.

[Content provided in the Act as per the structure] (1) Where, in exercise of the powers under section 31, the Highway Administration deems it necessary in the interest of the safety of the Highway to close a Highway or part thereof, it may, by notification in the Official Gazette, give notice of its intention to the public to do so specifying therein the time within which the objections and suggestions received shall be considered under sub-section (3) and in addition to such notice, it shall also notify the contents of such notice in at least two newspapers, one of which shall be in the local language of the area through which such Highway passes and another shall be the newspaper being circulated in such area. (2) The notice under sub-section (1) shall indicate the alternative route proposed to be provided in lieu of the Highway or part thereof intended to be closed specifying therein as to whether such alternative route shall be an already existing Highway or shall be newly constructed and shall also invite objections and suggestions from the persons affected on such proposal within the time and to be addressed to the officer as specified in such notice. (3) The Highway Administration shall, after considering the objections and suggestions, if any, received within the time specified in such notice, take decision on the proposal for closure under the notice and shall act in accordance with such decision.

[Content provided in the Act as per the structure] If the Highway Administration 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 in the Official Gazette, 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 Highway Administration 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 remained for a period of one month or less, such prohibition or restriction may be imposed without issuing notification in the Official 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.

[Content provided in the Act as per the structure] (1) No person who is in charge of, or in possession of, any vehicle or animal shall, wilfully or negligently, cause, or allow such vehicle or animal to cause, any damage to any Highway. (2) Where, in contravention of sub-section (1), any damage has been caused to any Highway, the Highway Administration shall have such damage repaired at its own expenses and such expenses together with fifteen per cent. thereof as additional charges shall, without prejudice to any other action which may be taken against the person who has so contravened sub-section (1), be recovered from him in accordance with the provisions contained in section 27 as if such expenses and additional charges were the expenses and additional charges recoverable under that section.

[Content provided in the Act as per the structure] (1) No person in charge of, or in possession of, any vehicle or animal shall allow such vehicle or animal to stand or proceed on a Highway unless the same is under such safety control as may be prescribed. (2) Where, in contravention of sub-section (1), any obstruction on the Highway is caused, the vehicle or animal causing such obstruction shall be caused to be towed away by the Highway Administration to remove such obstruction on the Highway and the vehicle or animal so towed away shall be taken into possession by the Highway Administration and shall be handed over to the owner thereof in the manner, by payment to the Highway Administration, the expenses incurred in such removal, as may be prescribed. (3) In case where the expenses in respect of the vehicle or animal taken into possession under sub-section (2) have not been paid in the manner prescribed under that sub-section, the Highway Administration shall sell such vehicle or animal by auction and the proceeds of the auction shall be the property of the Central Government. (4) Any person who has unauthorised occupation on a highway land shall be summarily evicted by the Highway Administration in the manner specified in section 26 for removal of unauthorised occupation and shall be liable to fine imposed by the Highway Administration which shall not be less than five hundred rupees per square metre of the unauthorisedly occupied land by him but which may be extended to the cost of such land.