Houses within 40m, shops within 75m: Kerala begins NH survey

Kerala has begun collecting details of houses and commercial establishments located close to National Highways as the state prepares its response to a Supreme Court order on roadside construction.

The Local Self-Government Department has directed district authorities to collect details of houses and commercial establishments located along National Highways.

The survey covers houses within 40 metres and commercial establishments within 75 metres of the centre of the National Highway. Authorities have also been asked to provide details of buildings currently under construction.

The exercise includes buildings constructed under the Kerala Panchayat Building Rules and Kerala Municipality Building Rules.

Why is Kerala collecting the data?

The move follows an interim order issued by the Supreme Court in a suo motu case concerning construction along National Highways.

The court's proceedings have focused on restrictions concerning houses and commercial establishments located within specified distances from the centre of National Highways.

Kerala is collecting the information so that it can prepare and submit its affidavit before the Supreme Court's next hearing.

Supreme Court hearing on September 1

The Supreme Court is scheduled to take up the matter again on September 1.

The court had previously asked states and Union Territories to submit their positions. It criticised states that failed to respond and indicated that Chief Secretaries could be summoned if affidavits were not submitted.

Kerala had sought additional time to respond. The latest data-collection exercise has therefore been launched urgently ahead of the next hearing.

Does the order mean houses will be demolished?

The current survey does not by itself mean that buildings will be demolished.

The immediate purpose is to identify properties and permits falling within the distances mentioned in the Supreme Court proceedings and provide the required information to the court.

What action may eventually be taken against individual properties will depend on further directions from the Supreme Court.

Why the issue matters in Kerala

The matter could have a significant impact because several National Highway stretches in Kerala pass through densely populated areas, with residential buildings, shops and other establishments located close to the roads.

The survey will help the state determine how many existing and under-construction properties fall within the specified limits.

The Supreme Court's September 1 hearing is expected to provide further clarity on the application of the interim directions to existing buildings, permitted structures and ongoing construction.