Section 20: Restrictions on land in a control zone

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in force, no person shall use, and no authority shall permit the use of, any land which lies within a control zone comprising the area appurtenant to a highway and situated between the boundary of such highway and a distance of one hundred meters from such boundary, save and except for the purposes of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry or afforestation, which purposes shall not include the construction of any permanent structures or buildings: Provided that the provisions of this section shall, instead of one hundred meters referred to hereinabove, apply within a distance of fifteen meters from the boundary of any part of a highway where such part of the highway is situated within the municipal limits of a town or a village abadi: Provided further that the State Government may at any time acquire, any or all land and buildings forming part of the control zone, under this Act for development and expansion of the highway or any wayside amenities: Provided also that the restrictions on the control zone hereunder shall not apply to the use of any land, or any building or structure thereon, to the extent such use of land, or any building or structure thereon, was lawfully in existence at the commencement of this Act or where such building or structure is being repaired, improved or modified without any alteration in the building line comprising its length, width and height. Provided also that in the event of a doubt or dispute in respect of the width and boundary line of a highway, such width and boundary line shall be deemed to be determined by reference to the nearest section of such highway on which there is no doubt or dispute in respect of the width and boundary line thereof: Provided also that the control zone for every highway included in the Schedule at the commencement of this Act shall be determined with reference to the date on which this Act comes into force and in respect of any highway included in the Schedule by notification under sub-section (2) of section 3, the control zone thereof shall be determined with reference to the date of such notification, and any extension of a highway boundary subsequently shall not alter the control zone. (2) The State Government may by rules to be made in this behalf authorise the use of any class, category or location of lands referred to in sub-section (1) for such purposes and subject to such conditions, including payment of fees, as may be prescribed.