Ban on construction along highways in Karnataka

Ban on construction along highways in Karnataka

The Hindu

BANGALORE: The Karnataka Government has banned construction of buildings up to six metres on either side of State Highways passing through the limits of local bodies, such as city municipal councils and village panchayats, and 12 metres on either side of the road for a distance of 15 km from the limits of the local bodies.

Minister for Public Works H.D. Revanna told presspersons here on Wednesday that rules have been framed for the purpose based on State and Central legislation.

Warning against violations

Warning officials of the local bodies not to allow any construction violating the new rules, which came into effect in November last year, he said they will be held responsible for violations.

He said that there are 17,000 km of State Highways, 34,000 km of major district roads and 4,800 km of National Highways in the State.

Mr. Revanna said the Government is concerned over the increase in the number of deaths in road accidents due to roads being narrowed by encroachments.

Asked what had been done to implement the judgment of the Karnataka High Court for taking action against those who have already built structures within 50 metres of major district roads and State Highways and 80 metres of National Highways, Mr. Revanna said the Government is considering measures, and the Principal Secretaries of the Public Works and Urban Development departments have been asked to look into it. If necessary, such structures will be demolished, he said.

The Minister said the ban on construction has been necessitated to allow widening of the roads in future.