New Delhi, Jan 20: Decks have been cleared for creation of a tribunal for National Highways with the president giving his assent to the Control of National Highways (land and traffic) Bill, 2002, passed during the winter session of Parliament According to an official release today, the bill, which seeks to establish a tribunal and highway administration to regulate traffic as well as right of way on the National Highways, has been notified in the official gazette.
As per the new act, a highway administration would be established and its officers authorised to enforce provisions of the act, and tribunal created for hearing appeals against the orders of the highways administration and their authorised offices.
The new act which replaces the national highways act of 1956 and the National Highways Authority of India Act, 1988, is intended to deal effectively with problems such as removal of encroachments on land under the National Highways, control of access points and traffic regulation.
The date for enforcement of the provisions of the act would be notified by the ministry of road transport and highways, the release said.
The act also provides for prevention of unauthorised occupation of highway land and removal of such encroachment, regulation of traffic, control of use of road land for public utilities and drains besides issuing of licences or lease deeds for temporary use of the National Highways.

Bureau Report