The National Highways Act, 1956

(1) This Act may be called the National HighwaysAct, 1956. (2) It extends to the whole of India. (3) It shall come into force on such date1as the Central Government may, by notification in theOfficial Gazette, appoint.

(1) Each of the highwaysspecified in the Schedule 1*** is hereby declared to be a national highway. (2) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare any otherhighway to be a national highway and on the publication of such notification such highway shall bedeemed to be specified in the Schedule. (3) The Central Government may, by like notification, omit any highway from the Schedule andon the publication of such notification, the highway so omitted shall cease to be a national highway.

1[3. Definitions.--In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-- (a) "competent authority" means any person or authority authorised by the CentralGovernment, by notification in the Official Gazette, to perform the functions of the competentauthority for such area as may be specified in the notification; (b) "land" includes benefits to arise out of land and things attached to the earth orpermanently fastened to anything attached to the earth.]

1[3A. Power to acquire land, etc.--(1) Where the Central Government is satisfied that for a publicpurpose any land is required for the building, maintenance, management or operation of a nationalhighway or part thereof, it may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare its intention to acquiresuch land. (2) Every notification under sub-section (1) shall give a brief description of the land. (3) The competent authority shall cause the substance of the notification to be published in twolocal newspapers, one of which will be in a vernacular language.]

1[3B. Power to enter for survey, etc.--On the issue of a notification under sub-section (1) ofsection 3A, it shall be lawful for any person, authorised by the Central Government in this behalf,to-- (a) make any inspection, survey, measurement, valuation or enquiry; (b) take levels; (c) dig or bore into sub-soil; (d) set out boundaries and intended lines of work; (e) mark such levels, boundaries and lines placing marks and cutting trenches; or (f) do such other acts or things as may be laid down by rules made in this behalf by thatGovernment.]