(1) No person shall wilfully cause, or allow any vehicle or animal in his charge 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 Authority shall have the damage repaired and the expenses involved shall, without prejudice to any other action that may be taken against the person responsible for the contravention of sub-section (1) be recovered from him in accordance with the procedure provided in section 25 in so far as that procedure is applicable.
1“[54A. Power of Government to levy fees for services or benefits rendered on highways etc.— (1) The Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, levy fees at such rates as may be laid down by rules made in this behalf for services or benefits rendered in relation to the use of permanent bridges costing more than rupees twenty five lakhs constructed on State Highway, major district roads and village roads, which are thrown open for the public on or after the first day of January, 1986:
Provided that if the Government is of the opinion that it is necessary in the public interest so to do, it may, by like notification, specify any bridge in relation to the use of which fees shall not be leviable under this section.
(2) Such fees when so levied shall be collected in accordance with the rules made under this Act.”] 2“[54B. Power of Government to levy fees for use of roads etc.— (1) The Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, levy fees at such rates as may be laid down by rules made in this behalf for use of State Highway, major district roads and village roads, or any portion thereof, which are thrown open for the public on or after the first day of January, 1988:
Provided that if the Government is of the opinion that it is necessary in the public interest so to do, it may, by like notification, specify any State Highways, major district roads and village roads or any portion thereof in relation to the use of which fees shall not be leviable under this section.
(2) Such fees, when so levied, shall be collected in accordance with the rules made under this Act.”]
CHAPTER VIII Penalties