Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Feb 14: Those who had dreamt of minting money by constructing residential, commercial, multi-storied buildings and undertaking land dealings by making use of the land located by the side of the national highways and state highways, have shock in store. The order of the government and the court is sure to jolt them.

Under the Karnataka Highway Act 1964, the state government had issued notification in1998 and 2005, declaring land up to 40 metres from the centre of the state and national highway as no construction zone. On the basis of this notification, the high court had issued an order on October 25, 2021. The PWD department, based on this order, has issued notices to 17 gram panchayats under Udupi sub-division.

Representational image

The order of the PWD says that 40 metres have to be set aside before construction of any new building. It has asked the urban, rural bodies to keep in mind the order of the high court and the government on the issue. Those guilty of violating the order have been warned of legal action and imprisonment if proved guilty.

In the case of district main roads, 25 metres from the middle of the road has been treated as no construction zone. Even in case of reconstruction and renovation or expansion of existing buildings, the rule of 40 metres stands. The government can undertake border survey and take into possession buildings standing in the 40 metres limit by paying compensation. The government can also make use of small holdings where no construction is possible for the above rule to lay service roads, signals, footpaths, drains etc.