The Control of National Highways (Land and Traffic) Act, 2002
Administered Ministry: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
Section 21 Delegation of powers.
Section 22 Power to transfer jurisdiction. 2 docs
Section 23 Highway land to be deemed as property of Central Government. 1 docs
(2) The Highway Administration shall cause to be maintained a record in the prescribed manner in which the particulars of the lands, relating to the Highway, of which the Central Government is the owner shall be entered and the entries of the particulars of such lands in any record maintained for such purpose before the commencement of this Act shall be deemed to be the entry of the particulars of such lands made in the first said record and accordingly the Central Government shall be deemed to be the owner of the lands regarding which the entries have been made in such records maintained before the commencement of this Act.
(3) Any person claiming against the ownership of the Central Government referred to in sub-section (2) shall make written complaint to the Highway Administration and prove his claim before it and the Highway Administration, after considering the evidence produced by such person, may correct such records or reject the claim.
Section 24 Prevention of occupation of highway land. 1 docs
(2) The Highway Administration or the officer authorised under sub-section (1) may, on an application made by a person in this behalf and having regard to the safety and convenience of traffic, grant permission to such person--
(i) to place a movable structure on the Highway in front of any building owned by him or to make a movable structure on support of such building and over the Highway, or
(ii) to put up a temporary lawning or tent or other similar construction or a temporary stall or scaffolding on the Highway, or
(iii) to deposit or cause to be deposited, building materials, goods, for sale or other articles on any Highway, or
(iv) to make a temporary excavation for carrying out any repairs or improvements to adjoining buildings,
and such permission shall be granted subject to the conditions and on payment of the rent and other charges by issuing permit in the form as may be prescribed:
Provided that no such permission shall be valid beyond a period of one month at a time from the date on which the permission has been granted unless it is renewed by the Highway Administration or such officer on an application made by such person for the renewal of the permission.
(3) The permission granted under sub-section (2) shall specify therein--
(i) the time up to which the permission is granted;
(ii) the purpose of such permission;
(iii) the portion of the Highway in respect of which the permission has been granted,
and shall be accompanied with a plan or sketch of such portion of Highway.
(4) The person, to whom the permit has been issued under sub-section (2), shall produce the permit for inspection whenever called upon to do so by any officer of the Highway Administration and shall, on the expiry of the permission granted under such permit, restore the portion of the Highway specified in the permit in such condition as it was immediately before the issuing of such permit and deliver the possession of such portion to the Highway Administration.
(5) The Highway Administration or the officer issuing the permit under sub-section (2) shall maintain a complete record of all such permits issued, and shall also ensure in every case at the expiration of the period up to which the permission under a permit is granted under that sub-section that the possession of the portion of the Highway in respect of which such permission was granted has been delivered to the Highway Administration.
Section 25 Grant of lease or licence of highway land for temporary use.
Provided that no such lease shall be valid for more than five years at a time from the date on which such lease has been granted unless renewed by the Highway Administration or such officer.
Section 26 Removal of unauthorised occupation. 1 docs
(2) When, as a result of the periodical inspection of highway land or otherwise, the Highway Administration or the officer authorised by such Administration in this behalf is satisfied that any unauthorised occupation has taken place on highway land, the Highway Administration or the officer so authorised shall serve a notice in a prescribed form on the person causing or responsible for such unauthorised occupation requiring him to remove such unauthorised occupation and to restore such highway land in its original condition as before the unauthorised occupation within the period specified in the notice.
(3) The notice under sub-section (2) shall specify therein the highway land in respect of which such notice is issued, the period within which the unauthorised occupation on such land is required to be removed, the place and time of hearing any representation, if any, which the person to whom the notice is addressed may make within the time specified in the notice and that failure to comply with such notice shall render the person specified in the notice liable to penalty, and summary eviction from the highway land in respect of which such notice is issued, under sub-section (6).
(4) The service of the notice under sub-section (2) shall be made by delivering a copy thereof to the person to whom such notice is addressed or to his agent or other person on his behalf or by registered post addressed to the person to whom such notice is addressed and an acknowledgment purporting to be signed by such person or his agent or other person on his behalf or an endorsement by a postal employee that such person or his agent or such other person on his behalf has refused to take delivery may be deemed to be prima facie proof of service.
(5) Where the service of the notice is not made in the manner provided under sub-section (4), the contents of the notice shall be advertised in a local newspaper for the knowledge of the person to whom the notice is addressed and such advertisement shall be deemed to be the service of such notice on such person.
(6) Where the service of notice under sub-section (2) has been made under sub-section (4) or sub-section (5) and the unauthorised occupation on the highway land in respect of which such notice is served has not been removed within the time specified in the notice for such purpose and no reasonable cause has been shown before the Highway Administration or the officer authorised by such Administration in this behalf for not so removing unauthorised occupation, the Highway Administration or such officer as the case may be, shall cause such unauthorised occupation to be removed at the expenses of the Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be, and impose penalty on the person to whom the notice is addressed which shall be five hundred rupees per square metre of the land so unauthorisedly occupied and where the penalty so imposed is less than the cost of such land, the penalty may be extended equal to such cost.
(7) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, the Highway Administration or the officer authorised by such Administration in this behalf shall have power without issuing any notice under this section to remove the unauthorised occupation on the highway land, if such unauthorised occupation is in the nature of--
(a) exposing any goods or article--
(i) in open air; or
(ii) through temporary stall, kiosk, booth or any other shop of temporary nature,
(b) construction or erection, whether temporary or permanent, or
(c) trespass or other unauthorised occupation which can be removed easily without use of any machine or other device,
and in removing such occupation, the Highway Administration or such officer may take assistance of the police, if necessary, to remove such occupation by use of the reasonable force necessary for such removal.
(8) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, if the Highway Administration or the officer authorised by such Administration in this behalf is of the opinion that any unauthorised occupation on the highway land is of such a nature that the immediate removal of which is necessary in the interest of--
(a) the safety of traffic on the Highway; or
(b) the safety of any structure forming part of the Highway,
and no notice can be served on the person responsible for such unauthorised occupation under this section without undue delay owing to his absence or for any other reason, the Highway Administration or the officer authorised by such Administration may make such construction including alteration of any construction as may be feasible at the prescribed cost necessary for the safety referred to in clause (a) or clause (b) or have such unauthorised occupation removed in the manner specified in sub-section (7).
(9) The Highway Administration or an officer authorised by such Administration in this behalf shall, for the purposes of this section or section 27, have the same powers as are vested in a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), while trying a suit, in respect of the following matters, namely:--
(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;
(b) requiring the discovery and production of documents;
(c) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses; and
(d) any other matter which may be prescribed,
and any proceeding before such Administration or officer shall be deemed to be a judicial proceeding within the meaning of sections 193 and 228, and for the purpose of section 196, of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860) and the Administration or the officer shall be deemed to be a civil court for the purposes of section 195 and Chapter XXVI of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974).
Section 27 Recovery of cost of removal of unauthorised occupation and fine imposed. 1 docs
(1) Where a Highway Administration or the officer authorised by such Administration in this behalf has removed any unauthorised occupation or made any construction including alteration of construction in respect of any unauthorised occupation or repaired any damage under sub-section (2) of section 36, the expenditure incurred in such removal or repair together with fifteen per cent. of additional charges or any 1[penalty] imposed under this Act shall be recoverable in the manner hereinafter provided in this section.
(2) The Highway Administration or the officer authorised in this behalf by such Administration shall serve a copy of the bill in the prescribed form indicating therein the expenditure, additional charges or 1[penalty] recoverable under sub-section (1) on the person from whom such expenditure, additional charges or 1[penalty] is recoverable and the provisions of section 26 relating to the service of notice shall apply for the service of copy of the bill under this sub-section as if for the word "notice" the word "bill" has been substituted in that section.
(3) A copy of the bill referred to in sub-section (2) shall be accompanied with a certificate issued by the Highway Administration or the officer authorised by such Administration in this behalf and the amount indicated in the bill shall be the conclusive proof that such amount is the expenditure actually incurred for all or any of the purposes referred to in sub-section (1) as indicated in the bill.
(4) Where a Highway Administration or the officer authorised in this behalf by such Administration has removed any unauthorised occupation or made any construction including alteration of construction in respect of any unauthorised occupation or repaired any damage under sub-section (2) of section 36, the material, if any, recovered as a result of such removal, construction, alteration or repair shall be retained in possession of the Highway Administration or such officer till the payment of the bill in respect thereof served under sub-section (2) and on payment of such bill such material shall be returned to the person entitled for the material, but in case of the failure of such payment within the time specified for the payment in the bill, the material may be sold by auction by the Highway Administration or such officer and after deduction of the amount payable under the bill from the proceeds of the auction, the balance, if any, shall be returned to the person entitled therefor.
(5) In case where the proceeds of the auction under sub-section (4) is less than the amount recoverable under the bill referred to in that sub-section, the difference between such proceeds and the amount so recoverable or where no such auction has been made, the amount recoverable under the bill shall, in case of failure of the payment within the time specified in the bill, be recoverable as the arrears of land revenue.
1. Subs. by Act 8 of 2026, s. 2 and Sch., for “fine” (w.e.f. 15-7-2026)
Section 28 Right of access. 1 docs
(2) The access to a Highway under sub-section (1) shall be subject to the guidelines and instructions issued by the Central Government from time to time.
(3) The Highway Administration may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare a Highway or any portion thereof to be limited for access in the manner as specified in such notification and may also impose any restriction or control on such access to, from or across such Highway as specified in that notification.
Section 29 Procedure for permission to access to Highway. 1 docs
(2) Any person desirous of obtaining specific permission referred to in sub-section (1) may make an application in the prescribed form to the Highway Administration specifying therein the means of access to which such permission relates and shall also be accompanied with such fees as may be prescribed and the Highway Administration shall, after considering the application either give the permission with or without the terms and conditions as may be prescribed or reject the application as it may deem fit.
(3) In case, where the permission has been given in respect of the application made under sub-section (2), the person to whom such permission has been given shall obtain the licence from the Highway Administration in the prescribed form enumerating therein the terms and conditions, if any, subject to which such permission has been given, and such permission shall be renewed after such period and in such manner as may be prescribed.
(4) If any person contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) of section 28 or violates any terms and conditions subject to which permission has been given under sub-section (2) including non-renewal of licence obtained under sub-section (3), his access to Highway under the permission under sub-section (1) or sub-section (3), as the case may be, shall be deemed to be unauthorised access and the Highway Administration or the officer authorised by such Administration shall have the power to remove such access and where necessary, the Highway Administration or such officer may use the necessary force with the assistance of the police to remove such access.
Section 30 Regulation or diversion of access, etc.
(2) Where an existing access is diverted, the alternative access given in lieu thereof shall not be unreasonably distant from the existing access.
Section 31 Highway Administration to regulate traffic when Highway deemed unsafe.
(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.
Section 32 Prohibition of use of heavy vehicles on certain Highways. 1 docs
Section 33 Temporary closure of traffic on Highway.
Section 34 Permanent closure of Highway.
(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.
Section 35 Power to restrict the use of vehicles. 1 docs
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.
Section 36 Prevention and repair of damage to 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.
Section 37 Prohibition to leave vehicles or animals in dangerous position. 1 docs
(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 1[penalty imposed by the Highway Administration which shall not be less than two thousand rupees] per square metre of the unauthorisedly occupied land by him but which may be extended to the cost of such land.
1. Subs. by Act 8 of 2026, s. 2 and Sch., for certain words (w.e.f. 15-7-2026).
Section 38 Construction on highway land. 1 docs
(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, no person other than a Highway Administration or a person authorised by such Administration in this behalf shall construct, install, shift, repair, alter or carry any poles, pillars, advertisement towers, transformers, cable wire, pipe, drain, sewer, canal, railway line, tramway, telephone boxes, repeater station, street, path or passage of any kind on highway land or across, under or over any Highway except with the prior permission in writing of the Highway Administration for such purpose.
(2) Any person who intends to obtain the permission under sub-section (1) shall make an application in the prescribed form to the Highway Administration containing therein the purpose and period of occupancy of Highway, location and part of the Highway to be occupied, method of execution of work, period of construction and method of restoration of such part of the Highway.
(3) The Highway Administration shall consider the application made under sub-section (1) and if it is satisfied that there is no alternative other than the Highway in respect of which the permission is sought under the application where the land can be found to locate the public utility, it may give permission in writing as sought in the application:
Provided that while giving such permission, the Highway Administration may impose such conditions as it may deem fit to protect--
(i) the Highway from damage; and
(ii) the traffic on the Highway from obstruction,
and may also impose such fees and other charges as may be prescribed on the person to whom such permission is given in respect of any land forming part of the Highway, occupied or applied to the proposed work or construction under permission and also impose on such person the expenditure, if any, incurred by the Highway Administration for repairing any damage caused to the Highway by laying or shifting of any structure, article or equipment under the permission.
(4) If any person, in contravention of sub-section (1), makes any construction or carries out any other work, the Highway Administration may, at its own expenses, cause such construction or other work to be removed from the Highway and restore the Highway in the condition as it was immediately before giving permission for such construction or other work under sub-section (3) and such expenses together with fifteen per cent. thereof as additional charges and 1[penalty] imposed by the Highway Administration taking into account the nature of the damages caused by such construction or other work, which shall not be less than five hundred rupees per square metre of land used for such construction or other work, but shall not exceed the cost of such land, shall be recovered from such person in accordance with the provisions contained in section 27 as if such expenses, additional charges and 1[penalty] were the expenses, additional charges and 1[penalty] recoverable under that section.
1. Subs. by Act 8 of 2026, s. 2 and Sch., for “fine” (w.e.f. 15-7-2026).
Section 39 Offence and penalty.
(1) If any person, who has been evicted from any unauthorised occupation on a highway land under this Act, again occupies any highway land without permission for such occupation under this Act, he 1[shall be liable to penalty imposed by the Highway Administration which shall not be less than five thousand rupees per square metre of the land unauthorisedly occupied by him but which may extend to the cost of such land].
(2) 2[The Highway Administration, imposing liability on a person] under sub-section (1), may make an order for evicting that person from such occupied highway land summarily and he shall be liable to such eviction without prejudice to any other action that may be taken against him.
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1. Subs. by Act 8 of 2026, s. 2 and Sch. for certain words (w.e.f. 15-7-2026).
2. Subs. by s. 2 and Sch. ibid., for “Any court, convicting a person” (w.e.f. 15-7-2026).
3. Sub-section (3) omitted by s. 2 and Sch. ibid., (w.e.f. 15-7-2026).
Section 40 Omitted.
[Right of appellant to take assistance of legal practitioner.]—Omitted by Act the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 (33 of 2021), s. 24 (w.e.f. 4-4-2021).