Politics · India Bureau
Kerala seeks relaxation of Supreme Court's highway buffer zone ruling
Kerala has moved to seek relief from a Supreme Court order that restricts construction near national highways. The ruling prohibits residential buildings within 40 metres and commercial structures within 75 metres of highway central lines.
LSN India ·
The Kerala government is pursuing relaxation of a Supreme Court directive that imposes stringent restrictions on construction activities adjacent to national highways across the country. The court order establishes mandatory buffer zones designed to protect highway infrastructure and ensure public safety.
According to the Supreme Court guidelines, residential construction is prohibited within 40 metres from the central line of national highways, while commercial establishments face a more restrictive 75-metre exclusion zone. These regulations apply uniformly across all national highways in India.
The state government's attempt to secure relief from the restrictions reflects concerns about the practical impact of the ruling on development and urban planning initiatives within Kerala. The buffer zone requirements have implications for ongoing and proposed construction projects throughout the state.
The matter comes at a time when several Indian states are grappling with balancing infrastructure development needs against environmental and safety regulations set by the apex court. Kerala's petition is expected to outline specific circumstances or considerations that warrant relaxation of the national standards.