NH central line norms: Keralam to seek relaxation of SC order
The state of Kerala is seeking a review of a Supreme Court order that restricts construction near national highways. The state argues that the buffer zone requirements will cause economic paralysis and administrative bottlenecks for local businesses.
Why it matters
The conflict between infrastructure safety regulations and local economic development is a major policy challenge in densely populated regions.
Keralam will seek exemption for existing commercial and residential buildings from a Supreme Court order prohibiting the construction of residential buildings within 40 metres and commercial ones within 75 metres from the central line of national highways.
The State will seek a review of the top court order that imposed the centreline buffer by pointing out that the order will render “residual holdings entirely unbuildable without statutory acquisition or compensation.”
Keralam will contend that the court directive that no agency shall grant or renew any licence, NOC, or trade approval for any site within highway safety zones without prior NHAI/PWD clearance and all such existing licences for such sites shall be reviewed within 30 days, “threatens to paralyse routine maintenance, essential repairs, reconstruction, and redevelopment of long-standing lawful structures.”
The Supreme Court order in August, which prescribed the restrictions, had created widespread anguish and confusion in the State.
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