(1) The Board may ---
(a) turn, divert or discontinue the public use of, or permanently close, any public street vested in it or any part thereof; or
(b) discontinue the public use of, or permanently close, any public square vested in it or any part thereof.
(2) Whenever the Board discontinues the public use of, or permanently closes, any public street vested in it or any part thereof, it shall pay reasonable compensation to every person who was entitled, otherwise than as a member of the public, to use such street or part as means of access, and has suffered damage from such discontinuance or closure.
(3) Whenever the Board discontinues the public use of, or permanently closes, any public square vested in it or any part thereof, it shall pay reasonable compensation to every person who was entitled, otherwise than as a member of the public, to use such square or part as a means of access.
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(4) When any public street or square vested in the Board, or any part thereof, is permanently closed under sub-section (1), the Board may sell or lease out such portion thereof as is no longer required.
Power of the Board to retain lanes not meant for vehicular traffic
55. The Board may retain any lane (not meant for vehicular traffic) and may enter into an agreement with the local authority or planning authority concerned or any other person for the supervision, repair, lighting any general management of any such lane so retained.
Other duties of the Board
56. It shall also be the duty of the Board to take measures with a view ---
(a) to plan and coordinate all housing activities in the Union territory, and to ensure expeditious and efficient implementation of housing or improvement schemes in the Union territory;
(b) to provide technical advice and scrutinise all projects under housing or improvement schemes sponsored or assisted by the Central Government or the Government of the Union territory;
(c) to maintain, allot, lease and otherwise use plots, buildings, and other properties of the Board or the Government and to collect rents from the properties under the control and management of the Board, and repay loans to the Government and Central Government;
(d) to set up a research section for the purpose of expediting the construction of, and reducing the cost of buildings; and
(e) to organise and run workshops and stores for manufacture, sale, stockpiling and supply of building materials, required for housing or improvement schemes.
Supervision and centage charges
57. The Board may include in the cost of any housing or improvement scheme framed by it or any other work undertaken by it, supervision and centage charges at such rates as may be fixed by it:
Provided that the rate so fixed shall not be more than twelve and a half per cent of the cost of the scheme or work.
Power of Government to call for the records of the Board and to modify, annual, etc., of housing or improvement schemes