The Indian Tramways Act, 1886
# THE INDIAN TRAMWAYS ACT, 1886

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ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

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PRELIMINARY

SECTIONS

1. Short title and commencement.

2. Local extent.

3. Definitions.

ORDERS AUTHORISING THE CONSTRUCTION OF TRAMWAYS

4. Application for and consent necessary to making of order.

5. Consent of local or road-authority not necessary in certain cases.

6. Procedure for making order.

7. Contents of order.

8. Further order.

9. Power to authorise joint work by local authorities.

10. Cessation of powers given by an order.

CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF TRAMWAYS

11. Mode of formation of tramway.

12. Inspection of tramway before opening.

13. Agreement between road-authority and promoter as to repair of roadway.

TRAFFIC ON TRAMWAYS

14. Rights of promoters and the public over tramways.

15. Tolls leviable by promoter or lessee.

16. Carriage of dangerous or offensive goods.

LICENSES TO USE TRAMWAYS

17. Grant to third parties of licenses to use tramway in certain events.

18. Licensee to give to promoter or lessee an account of traffic.

DISCONTINUANCE OF TRAMWAYS

19. Cessation of powers of promoter and lessee on discontinuance of tramway.

20. Powers of road-authority on cessation of powers of promoter.

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SECTIONS

INSOLVENCY OF PROMOTER

21. Proceedings in case of insolvency of promoter.

PURCHASE OF TRAMWAYS

22. Future purchase of undertaking by local authority.

WORKING OF TRAMWAYS OWNED BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES

23. Lease of, or working of, tramway by local authority.

RULES

24. Power to make rules.

25. Power to impose penalty by rule.

26. Procedure for making, and publication of, rules.

OFFENCES

27. Penalty for failure of promoter, lessee or licensee to comply with act or order.

28. Penalty for obstructing promoter in exercise of his powers.

29. Penalty for interfering with tramway.

30. Penalty for using tramway with carriage having flange-wheels.

31. Penalty for evading payment of proper toll.

32. Penalty for taking or sending dangerous or offensive goods without giving notice.

33. Penalty for licensee not giving to promoter or lessee an account of traffic or giving false account.

34. Saving of prosecutions under other laws.

SETTLEMENT OF DIFFERENCES

35. Differences between promoters or lessees and authorities.

RECOVERY OF TOLLS

36. Recovery of moneys due from promoters and, in certain cases, from lessees.

37. Recovery of tolls from licensees.

38. Recovery of tolls from passengers.

SAVINGS

39. Promoter to have right of user only.

40. Saving of power over roads traversed by tramways.

41. Saving of power of local authority and police to regulate traffic on roads.

SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS

42. Promoters, lessees and licensees to be responsible for all injuries.

43. Want of funds not a sufficient reason for default.

44. Power to exempt from municipal taxation.

45. Application by local authorities of local funds to tramways.

46. Extension of Act to existing tramways.

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SECTIONS

47. Prohibition of construction of tramways except under this Act.

48. Transfer of control on exclusion of local area from circle of local authority.

49. [Repealed.].

50. Powers of Government exercisable from time to time.

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# THE INDIAN TRAMWAYS ACT, 1886

 ACT NO. 11 OF 1886

 An Act to facilitate the construction and to regulate the working of tramways.



[12th March, 1886.]


WHEREAS it is expedient to facilitate the construction and to regulate the working of tramways; It is

hereby enacted as follows:—

PRELIMINARY

**1. Short title and commencement.—(1) This Act may be called the Indian Tramways Act, 1886; and**

(2) It shall come into force at once.

**2. Local extent.—(1) It extends in the first instance to [1][the whole of India except [2][the territories**

which, immediately before the 1st November, 1956, were comprised in Part B States] and the territories
which were on the 12th March, 1886, respectively], administered by the Governor of Fort Saint George in
Council, the Governor of Bombay in Council and the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal.

3[(2) This Act may by notification in the Official Gazette be extended to the whole or any part of the

said territories by the State Government concerned.]

**3. Definitions.—In this Act, unless there is something repugnant in the subject or context,—**

(1) “local authority” means a municipal committee, district board, body of port commissioners or

other authority legally entitled to, or entrusted by [4][the Central Government or any State Government]
with, the control or management of a municipal or local fund:

(2) “road” means the way of a road, street, thoroughfare, passage or place along or across which a

tramway authorised under this Act is, or is intended to be, laid, and includes the surface-soil and
sub-soil of a road, and the footway, berms, drains and ditches of a road, and any bridge, culvert or
causeway forming part of -a road:

(3) “road-authority”, in relation to a road, means—

(a) if a local authority maintains and repairs the road, then that authority;

(b) if a local authority does not maintain and repair the road, and the road is neither vested in

Government nor maintained and repaired by [4] [[5]*** Government], then the person in whom the
road is vested; and

(c) if a local authority does not maintain and repair the road, and the road is vested in

1. Subs. by the A. O. 1950, for “all the Provinces of India except the territories”.
2. Subs. by the Adaptation of Laws (No. 2) Order, 1956, for “Part B States”.
3. Subs. by the A. O. 1937, for sub-section 2.

This Act has been extended to the whole of the Bombay Presidency except the city of Bombay, see Bombay Gazette,
1887, Pt. I, p. 899 and to the city of Madras, see Fort St. George Gazette, 1886, Pt. I, p. 750 and to Pondicherry by Reg.7 of
1963. s. 3 and the First Schedule w. e. f. 1-10-1963. It has also been partially extended to Berar by the Berar Laws Act,
1941 (4 of 1941). For separate Acts on the subject of tramways in—
Bengal, see the Bengal Tramways Act, 1883 (Ben. 3 of 1883);
Calcutta, see the Calcutta Tramways (Electric Traction) Act, 1900 (Ben. 4 of 1900), and the Calcutta Tramways Act,
1880 (Ben. 1 of 1880);
Bombay, see the Bombay Tramways Act, 1874 (Bom. 1 of 1874).

4. Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for “the Govt.”
5. The words “the Central Government or any Provincial” omitted by the A.O. 1950.

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Government or maintained and repaired by [1][[2]*** Government], then [3][the Government for whose
purposes a road is so vested or by which the road is maintained and repaired, as the case may be]:

(4) “circle”, in relation to a local authority or road-authority, means the area within the control of

that authority:

4[(5) “tramway” means a tramway having one, two or more rails, and includes—

(a) any part of a tramway, or any siding, turnout, connection, line or track belonging to a

tramway;

(b) any electrical equipment of a tramway; and

(c) any electric supply-line transmitting power from a generating station or substation to a

tramway or from a generating station to a sub-station from which power is transmitted to a
tramway:]

(6) “order” means an order authorising the construction of a tramway under this Act, and includes a

further order substituted for, or amending, extending or varying, that order:

(7) “promoter” means a local authority or person in whose favour an order has been made, and

includes a local authority or person on whom the rights and liabilities conferred and imposed on the
promoter by this Act and by the order and any rules made under this Act as to the construction,
maintenance and use of the tramway, have devolved:

(8) “undertaking” includes all moveable and immoveable property of the promoter suitable to and

used by him for the purposes of the tramway:

(9) “carriage”, in the case of a tramway on which steam-power or any other mechanical power [5][or

electrical power] is used, includes an engine worked on the tramway for the purpose of producing [5][or
utilising] that power:

(10) “toll” includes any charge leviable in respect of the use of a tramway:

(11) “lessee” means a person to whom a lease has been granted of the right of user of a tramway and

of demanding and taking the authorised tolls:

(12) “District Magistrate” includes an officer empowered by the [6][Government] by name or by

virtue of his office to discharge within any local area all or any of the functions of a District Magistrate
under this Act:

(13) “District Court” means a principal Civil Court of original jurisdiction, and includes a High

Court having ordinary original civil jurisdiction:

(14) “Collector” means the chief officer in charge of the revenue-administration of a district,

and includes an officer empowered by the [6][Government] by name or by virtue of his office to
discharge within any local area the functions of a Collector under this Act: [7]***

(15) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made by the [6][Government] under this Act: [8][and]

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[(16) “Government”, in relation to a tramway which is wholly within a municipal

area or which is declared not to be a railway under clause (20) of article 366 of the

1. Subs. by A.O. 1937, for “the Govt”
2. The words “the Central Government or any Provincial” omitted by the A.O. 1950.
3. Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for “the L.G.”
4. Subs. by Act 5 of 1911, s. 2, for clause (5).
5. Ins. by s. 3, ibid.
6. Subs. by the A.O.1937, for “L. G.”.
7. The word “and” omitted, ibid.
8. Ins., ibid.
9. Subs. by the A.O. 1950, for clause (16) which was inserted by the A.O. 1937.

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Constitution, means the State Government and, in relation to any other tramway, means the Central

Government.]]

ORDERS AUTHORISING THE CONSTRUCTION OF TRAMWAYS

**4. Application for and consent necessary to making of order.—(1) The [1][Government] may**

make an order authorizing the construction of a tramway in a circle on application made—

(a) by the local authority of the circle with the consent of the road-authority of any road or part

of a road which is to be traversed by the tramway and of which the local authority is not itself the
road-authority; or

(b) by any person with the consent of the local authority of the circle, and of the road-authority of

any road or part of a road which is to be traversed by the tramway and of which the local authority is
not the road-authority.

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(2) A local authority shall not make an application for an order, or be deemed to consent to an

application being made by any person for an order, unless the making of the application or the giving of
the consent has been approved by the local authority in manner prescribed.

**5. Consent of local or road-authority not necessary in certain cases.—When it is proposed**

to lay a tramway in two or more circles, and a local authority or road-authority having control in either or
any of the circles does not consent thereto, or attaches conditions to its consent, the [1][Government] may,
nevertheless, make an order authorising the construction of the tramway in the circle, or by the order
impose on the promoter any conditions which it deems fit, if, utter considering the reasons of the
authority for withholding its consent or attaching the conditions thereto, it is satisfied that the construction
of the tramway in the circle is expedient, or, as the case may be, that the conditions attached by the
authority to its consent ought not to be imposed.

**6. Procedure for making order.—(1)** The [1][Government] on receiving an application shall consider

it, and, if satisfied as to the propriety of proceeding thereon, publish in the Official Gazette, and in such
other manner as it deems sufficient for giving information to persons interested, a draft of a proposed
order authorizing the construction of the tramway.

(2) A notice shall be published with the draft stating that any objection or suggestion which any

person may desire to make with respect to the proposed order will, if submitted to the [1][Government] on
or before a date to be specified in the notice, be received and considered.

(3) If, after considering any objections or suggestions which may have been made with respect to the

draft on or before the date so specified, the [1][Government] is of opinion that the application should be
granted, with or without addition or modification, or subject or not to any restriction or condition, it may
make an order accordingly.

(4) Every order authorising the construction of a tramway shall be published in the Official Gazette in

English, and in the other prescribed language or languages, if any; and that publication shall be
conclusive proof that the order has been made as required by this section.

**7. Contents of order.—(1)** An order made under section 6 shall empower the promoter therein

specified to construct and maintain the tramway therein described in the manner therein provided, and
shall specify the time within which the tramway shall be commenced and the time within which it shall be
completed and opened for public traffic.

1. Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for “L. G.”.
2. Proviso omitted, ibid.

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(2) The order may also provide, in manner consistent with this Act, for all or any of the following,

among other matters, that is to say:—

(a) a period before the expiration of which the tramway shall not be commenced, and the

conditions subject to which the local authority, when it is not itself the promoter, may, within that
period elect to be substituted in the place of the promoter in respect of the undertaking or of so much
thereof as is within its circle; and the limits of time within which, and the terms upon which, the local
authority may, after the tramway has been constructed, require the promoter to sell to it the
undertaking or so much thereof as is within its circle;

(b) the acquisition by the promoter of land for the purposes of the tramway, and the disposal by

him of land which has been acquired but is no longer required for those purposes;

(c) the conditions subject to which roads may be opened and broken up for the purposes of the

construction or maintenance of the tramway or any part thereof, and the method of, and materials to
be used in, the reinstating of the roads, and the approval of the method and materials by the
1[Government] or the road-authority before the commencement of the work;

(d) the conditions on which the tramway may be constructed over a bridge or across a railway or

tramway when the carriage-way over the bridge is to form part of the tramway or when the tramway
is to cross a railway or another tramway on the level;

2[(e) the space which shall ordinarily intervene between the outside of the carriage-way on either

side of a road where on the tramway is to be constructed, and—

(i) in the case of a tramway having one rail, the rail of the tramway, or

(ii) in the case of a tramway having two or more rails, the nearest rail of the tramway,

and the conditions on which a smaller space may be permitted;]

(f) the gauge of the tramway, the rails to be used, and the mode in which, and the level at which,

they shall be laid and maintained; and the adoption and application by the promoter of such
improvements in the rails, and in their situation, and in the sub-structure upon which they rest, as the
1[Government] may from time to time require;

(g) the portion of the road or roads traversed by the tramway to be kept in repair by the promoter;

the maintenance by the promoter to the satisfaction of the [1][Government], or the road-authority, or
both, of that portion of the road or roads; and the liability of the promoter, on the requisition of the
1[Government], from time to time to adopt and apply such improvements in the tramway as the
1[Government] may consider necessary or desirable for the safety or convenience of the public, and to
alter the position or level of the tramway to suit future alterations in the road or roads;

(h) the application of material excavated by the promoter in the construction or maintenance of

the tramway;

(i) the provision of such crossings, passing-places, sidings, junctions and other works, in

addition to those specified in or authorised by the order, as may from time to time be necessary or
convenient to the efficient working of the tramway;

(j) the powers which may from time to time be exercised by the [1][Government], the local

authority, the road-authority or any person in respect of sewers, drains, telegraph-lines, gas-pipes,
water-pipes or other things in or on land occupied by the tramway; the notice (if any) to be given of
the intended exercise of those powers; the manner in which the powers shall be exercised; and the
extent to which the tramway and the traffic thereon may be interfered with in the exercise thereof;

1. Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for “L.G.”.
2. Subs. by Act 5 of 1911, s. 4, for clause (e).

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(k) the conditions subject to which the promoter may from time to time interfere with, or alter or

require the alteration of the position of, drains (not being sewers or main drains), telegraph-lines, gaspipes, water-pipes or other things as aforesaid;

(l) the provision of a temporary tramway in place of a part of a tramway which has been

removed, or of which the use has been discontinued by reason of the execution of any work affecting
a road along which the part of the tramway was laid, or by reason of the use of the road being
interrupted by floods or other cause;

(m) the motive power to be used on the tramway, and the conditions on which steam-power or

any other mechanical power [1][or electrical power] may be used;

(n) the nature, dimensions, fittings, appliances and apparatus of the carriages to be used on the

tramway, and the inspection and examination thereof by officers of the [2][Government] or the local
authority, and the liability of the promoter or lessee, on the requisition of the [2][Government], from
time to time, to adopt and apply such improvements in the carriages, and in the fittings, appliances
and apparatus, as the [2][Government] may consider necessary or desirable for the safety or
convenience of the public;

(o) the traffic which may be carried on the tramway, the traffic which the promoter or lessee shall

be bound to carry, and the traffic which he may refuse to carry; the tolls to be leviable by the
promoter or lessee, and the periodical revision thereof by the [2][Government]; and the regulation of the
traffic and of the levy of the tolls;

(p) the use of the tramway free of toll by the local authority, with its own carriages, for specified

purposes, during specified hours, with power to the local authority to make such sidings and other
works as may be necessary for communication between its premises and the tramway;

(q) the conditions subject to which the promoter may transfer the undertaking, or any part

thereof, by sale, mortgage, lease, exchange or otherwise; and the conditions subject to which the local
authority may be the transferee;

(r) the performance by the [2][Government] or by the local authority or road-authority of any work

required by the Act or the order to be done by the promoter; and

(s) the penalty to be incurred by the promoter or lessee for failure to observe any condition or

direction contained in,the order, and the application of the penalty when recovered.

(3) The [2][Government] may, in providing in the order for the acquisition of land for the purposes of a

tramway of which the promoter is not a company, direct that land may be acquired for the promoter under
the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act, 1870[3] (10 of 1870), in the same manner and on the same
conditions as it might be acquired for the purposes of the tramway if a company were the promoter.

(4) The order shall imply the condition—

(a) in the case of a tramway of which a local authority is the promoter, that a lease thereof shall be

granted only in manner by this Act provided; and

(b) in the case of a tramway of which a local authority is not the promoter, that a lease thereof shall

be only of the right of user and of demanding and taking the authorized tolls, and shall not confer or
impose on the lessee any of the powers or duties of the promoter in respect of the construction or
maintenance of the tramway.

1. Ins. by Act 5 of 1911, s. 5.
2. Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for “L.G.”.
3. The relevant provisions of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (1 of 1894) to be referred to.

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**8. Further order.—(1) The** [1][Government] may, on the application of promoter, revoke, amend,

extend or vary the order by a further order.

(2) An application for a further order shall be made in the same manner and subject to the same

conditions as an application for an order.

(3) The [1][Government] may, in its discretion, either grant or reject the application.

(4) If it grants the application, it shall make the further order in the same manner as an order, except

that no addition to, or modification of, the rights, powers and authorities asked for in the application, or
restriction or condition with respect thereto, shall be made or imposed by the further order without the
consent in writing of the promoter.

**9.** **Power to authorise joint work by local authorities.—(1) Subject to, and in accordance**

with, the provisions of this Act, the [1][Government] may, on a joint application, or on two or more
separate applications, make an order empowering two or more local authorities, respectively, jointly to
construct the whole, or separately to construct parts, of a tramway, and jointly or separately to own the
whole or parts thereof.

(2) All the provisions of this Act which relate to the construction of tramways shall extend and apply

to the construction of the whole and the separate parts of the tramway, and the form of the order may be
adapted to the circumstances of the ease.

**10. Cessation of powers given by an order.—(1)** If a promoter authorised by an order to construct a

tramway—

(a) does not within the time specified in the order substantially commence the construction of the

tramway, or

(b) having commenced the construction, suspends it without a reason sufficient in the opinion of

the [1][Government] to warrant the suspension, or

(c) does not within the time specified in the order complete the tramway and open it for public

traffic,

the following consequences shall ensue:—

(i) the powers given by the order to the promoter for constructing the tramway and otherwise in

relation thereto shall, unless the [1][Government], by special direction in writing, prolongs the time or
condones the suspension, cease to be exercised except as to so much of the tramway as is then
completed;

(ii) as to so much of the tramway as is then completed, the [1][Government] may either permit, or

refuse to permit, the powers given by the order to continue;

(iii) if the [1][Government] refuses to permit the powers to continue, then so much of the tramway

as is then completed may be dealt with, under the provisions of this Act relating to the discontinuance
of tramways, as a tramway of the working whereof the discontinuance has been proved to the
satisfaction of the [1][Government].

(2) A notification published by the [1][Government] in the Official Gazette to the effect that on a date

specified in the notification the construction of a tramway had not been substantially commenced or a
tramway had not been completed and opened for public traffic, or that the construction of a tramway had
been suspended without sufficient reason, shall, for the purposes of this section, be conclusive proof of
the matter stated therein.

CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF TRAMWAYS

**11. Mode of formation of tramway.—A tramway shall be constructed and maintained in the manner**

provided by the order.

1. Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for “L.G.”

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**12. Inspection of tramway before opening.—A tramway, or portion of extension of, or**

addition to, a tramway, shall not be opened for public traffic [1][until it has been inspected and certified to
be fit for such traffic [2][by an engineer appointed by Government]].

**13. Agreement between road-authority and promoter as to repair of roadway.—Subject to the**

provisions of any order for the time being in force with respect to the matters mentioned in section 7,
sub-section (2), clause (g), the road-authority and the promoter may from time to time enter into
agreements as to the keeping in repair of the whole or a part of a road traversed by a tramway, and as to
the proportion to be paid by either of them of the expense of keeping the road or part in repair.

TRAFFIC ON TRAMWAYS

**14. Rights of promoters and the public over tramways.—(1)** The promoter of a tramway shall,

subject to the provisions of sub-section (2) and to the other provisions of this Act and of the order, have
the exclusive use of the tramway for carriages with flange-wheels or other wheels suitable to run on the
rail described in the order as the rail to be used on the tramway:

Provided that nothing in this Act or in the order or any rule made under this Act shall affect the right

of any person authorised to use a tramway or railway to pass across a tramway constructed under this Act
with carriages having wheels suitable to run on the rail thereof.

(2) The public shall have a right to pass along or across any part of a road along or across which a

tramway is constructed, whether on or off the tramway, with carriages not having flange-wheels or other
wheels suitable to run on the rail of the tramway:

Provided—

(a) that this sub-section shall not apply where the tramway is constructed on land the right to the

exclusive possession of which has been acquired by the promoter; and

(b) that the [3][Government] may by an order authorize the construction of a tramway on any part of

a road with rails raised above the surface of the road, if it is satisfied that the convenience of the public
will not be injuriously affected thereby.

**15. Tolls leviable by promoter or lessee.—(1) The promoter or lessee may demand and take, in**

respect of the tramway, tolls not exceeding the limits specified in or determinable under the order, or, if
the order contains no provision in this behalf, then such sums as may from time to time be fixed by the
promoter or lessee with the previous sanction of the [1][Government].

(2) A list of all the tolls authorized to be levied shall be exhibited, in such languages as the District

Magistrate may direct, in a conspicuous place inside and outside each of the carriages used upon the
tramway.

**16. Carriage of dangerous or offensive goods.—(1) A person shall not be entitled to carry or to**

require to be carried, on a tramway constructed under this Act, any goods of a dangerous or offensive
nature.

(2) A person taking such goods with him on the tramway shall, before entering the carriage, give

notice of their nature to the servant of the promoter or lessee in charge of the carriage.

(3) A person sending such goods by the tramway shall distinctly mark their nature on the outside of

the package containing them, or otherwise give notice thereof in writing to the servant of the promoter or
lessee with whom he leaves them for the purpose of their being sent by the tramway.

(4) Any servant of the promoter or lessee may refuse to carry upon the tramway a parcel which

he suspects to contain goods of a dangerous or offensive nature and, if any such parcel has been

1. Subs., by A.O. 1937, for “until an engineer appointed in this behalf by the L.G. has inspected it and certified it to be fit for

such traffic”.

2. Subs. by the A. O. 1950, for certain words.
3. Subs. by the A. O. 1937, for “L. G.”.

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received for the purpose of being carried upon the tramway, may stop the transit thereof until he is
satisfied as to the nature of its contents.

(5) Where a servant of the promoter or lessee refuses under sub-section (4) to carry a parcel which has

been received for the purpose of being carried upon the tramway, he shall, as soon as may be, give notice
of his refusal to the consignor or consignee if he refuses at a time when neither of them is present.

LICENSES TO USE TRAMWAYS

**17. Grant to third parties of licenses to use tramway in certain events.—If,** at any time after a

tramway or part of a tramway has been for three years opened for public traffic in a circle, the local
authority of the circle represents in writing to the [1][Government] that the public is deprived of the full
benefit of the tramway or of the part thereof, the [1][Government] may, if after considering any statement
which the promoter or lessee or both may desire to make, and after such further enquiry as it deems
necessary, it is satisfied as to the truth of the representation, grant a license to any person to use the
tramway conformably to this Act, and to the order and the rules made under this Act, subject to the
following provisions, namely:—

(a) the license shall be for a period not less than one year or more than three years from the date of

the license, but the [1][Government] may in its discretion renew it;

(b) the license shall be to use the whole of the tramway for the time being opened for public

traffic, or such part or parts of the tramway as the [1][Government], having regard to the cause for
granting the license, thinks fit;

(c) the license shall specify the number of carriages which the licensee shall run upon the

tramway, the mode in which, and times at which, the carriages shall be run, the tolls to be paid to the
promoter or lessee by the licensee for the use of the tramway, and the tolls, being those for the time
being leviable by the promoter or lessee, which the licensee may demand and take for the use of his
carriages;

(d) the licensee and his officers and servants shall permit one person, duly authorized for that

purpose by the promoter or lessee, to travel free of toll in or upon each carriage of the licensee run
upon the tramway for the whole or any part of a journey;

(e) any provision of this Act, or of the order or rules made under this Act, relating to the functions

of a servant of a promoter or lessee shall be construed, so far as may be, as referring to a servant of
the licensee; and

(f) the [1][Government] may revoke, alter or modify the license for any cause sufficient in its

opinion to warrant the revocation, alteration or modification thereof.

**18. Licensee to give to promoter or lessee an account of traffic.—A licensee shall, on**

demand, give to an officer or servant authorised in that behalf by the promoter or lessee an exact account
in writing, signed by the licensee, of the number of passengers, or number or quantity of goods, conveyed
by any and every carriage used by him on the tramway.

DISCONTINUANCE OF TRAMWAYS

**19. Cessation of powers of promoter and lessee on discontinuance of tramway.—If**

it is proved to the satisfaction of the [1][Government], at any time after the opening of a tramway for
public traffic, that the working of the tramway, or any part thereof, has been practically
discontinued, for the space of three months, without a reason sufficient, in the opinion of the
1[Government], to warrant the discontinuance, the 1[Government], if it thinks fit, may,

by notification in the Official Gazette, declare that the powers of the promoter and of the lessee, if

1 Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for “L. G.”,

11


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any, in respect of the tramway or the part thereof of which the working has been so discontinued,
shall, from the date of the notification, be at an end; and thereupon the said powers shall cease and
determine, except in so far as they may be purchased by a local authority in manner by this Act
provided.

**20. Powers of road-authority on cessation of powers of promoter.—(1) Where a notification**

has been published under section 19, the road-authority may, at any time after the expiration of two
months from the date of the notification, remove the tramway or part of the tramway of which the
working has been so discontinued, and use the materials thereof in reinstating the road.

(2) The promoter shall pay to the road-authority the cost incurred by that authority in removing the

tramway or the part thereof and in reinstating the road.

(3) The cost shall be certified by an officer of the road-authority, and his certificate, countersigned by

the District Magistrate, shall be conclusive proof as to the cost incurred.

(4) If the promoter does not pay the amount so certified within one month after the delivery to

him of the certificate or of a copy thereof, the road-authority may, without any previous notice to the
promoter and without prejudice to any other remedy which it may have for the recovery of the
amount, sell and dispose of such materials of the tramway or part thereof removed as it has not used
in reinstating the road, either by public auction or by private sale, and for such sum or sums, and to
such person or persons, as it thinks fit, and may, out of the proceeds of the sale, pay and reimburse
itself the amount of the cost aforesaid and of the expenses of the sale, and shall pay over the residue
(if any) of the proceeds of the sale to the promoter.

INSOLVENCY OF PROMOTER

**21. Proceedings in case of insolvency of promoter.—(1) If, at any time after the opening of a**

tramway in a circle for public traffic, it appears to the road-authority or local authority of the circle
that the promoter of the tramway is insolvent, so that he is unable to maintain the tramway, or to
work it with advantage to the public, and either of those authorities makes a representation to that
effect to the [1][Government], the [1][Government] may, if after considering any statement which the
promoter may desire to make, and after such further enquiry as it deems necessary, it is satisfied as to
the truth of the representation, declare, by notification in the Official Gazette, that the powers of the
promoter shall, at the expiration of six months from the publication of the notification, be at an end;
and the powers of the promoter shall cease and determine at the expiration of that period, except in
so far as they may be purchased by a local authority in manner by this Act provided.

(2) Where a notification has been published under sub-section (1), the road-authority may, at any

time after the expiration of six months from the date thereof, remove the tramway in the same
manner, and subject to the same provisions as to the payment of the cost of the removal and to the
same remedy for recovery of the cost, in every respect as in cases of removal under section 20.

PURCHASE OF TRAMWAYS

**22. Future purchase of undertaking by local authority.—(1) Where the promoter of a**

tramway in a circle is not the local authority, the local authority, with the previous sanction of the
1[Government], may—

(a) within such limits of time as may be specified in this behalf in the order, or

(b) if a time was not specified in the order, then within six months after the expiration of a period

of twenty-one years from the date of the order, and within six months after the expiration of every
subsequent period of seven years, or

1. Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for “L. G.”.

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(c) within two months after the publication of a notification under section 19 or within six months

after the publication of a notification under section 21,

by notice in writing, require the promoter to sell to the local authority his undertaking or the part
thereof which is within the circle of the local authority; and thereupon the promoter shall sell the
same upon the terms specified in the order, or, if the terms were not specified in the order, then
upon the terms of paying the then value of the undertaking or of the part thereof, exclusive of any
allowance for past or future profits of the undertaking or any compensation for compulsory sale or
other consideration whatsoever.

(2) A requisition shall not be made under sub-section (1) unless the making thereof has been

approved by the local authority in manner prescribed.

(3) When a sale has been made under this section, all the rights, powers and authorities of the

promoter in respect of the undertaking or part thereof sold, or, where a notification has been
published under section 19 or section 21, all the rights, powers and authorities of the promoter
previous to the publication of the notification in respect of the undertaking or part thereof sold,
shall be transferred to the authority to whom the undertaking or part has been sold, and shall vest
in, and may be exercised by, that authority in the same manner as if the tramway had been
constructed by it under an order made under this Act.

(4) Subject to, and in accordance with, the preceding provisions of this section, two or more local

authorities may jointly purchase an undertaking or so much thereof as is within there circles.

WORKING OF TRAMWAYS OWNED BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES

**23. Lease of, or working of, tramway by local authority.— (1)** When a local authority has

under the authority of an order completed a tramway, or has under the provisions of this Act or of
an order acquired possession of a tramway, it may, by a lease to be approved by the
1[Government], let to any person the right of user of the tramway and of demanding and taking the
authorized tolls.

(2) On the determination of a lease the local authority may from time to time let the right for such

further term and on such conditions as the [1][Government] may approve.

(3) Every lease made under this section shall imply a condition of re-entry if at any time after the

making thereof it is proved to the satisfaction of the [1][Government] that the lessee has practically
discontinued the working of the tramway leased, or of any part thereof, for the space of one month
without a reason sufficient, in the opinion of the [1][Government], to warrant the discontinuance.

(4) Notice of the intention of the local authority to make a lease shall be given in manner prescribed.

(5) If the local authority cannot by means of a lease obtain what it deems to be a fair rent for the

tramway, it may itself, with the previous sanction of the [1][Government] and for such term as the
1[Government] directs, place and run carriages upon the tramway, and demand and take the authorised
tolls in respect of the use of the carriages.

RULES

**24. Power to make rules.—(1) In addition to any other power to make rules expressly or by**

implication conferred by this Act, the [1][Government] may make rules consistent with this Act—

(a) as to the form in which an application for an order shall be made;

(b) as to the costs to be paid by an applicant in respect of an order, and the time when, and the place

where, those costs shall be paid;

(c) as to the payment of money or lodgment of securities, by way of deposit, by the applicant for an

order before the order is published under section 6, sub-section (4), or a further order is made under
section 8; the investment of money so paid; the disposal of interest or dividends from time to time

1. Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for “L. G.”.

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accruing due on money or securities so paid, lodged or invested; the application of the money or
securities or the produce thereof to the discharge of any liability incurred by the promoter; and the
forfeiture, repayment or return of the money or securities;

(d) as to the plans and sections of any works to be deposited by applicants for orders or by

promoters;

(e) for regulating the use of steam-power or any other mechanical power [1][or electrical power] on a

tramway;

(f) as to any matter specified in section 7, sub-section (2), clauses (c), (d), (e), (j) and (k), as a

matter which may be provided for in an order, when that matter has not been so provided for, or has
not, in the opinion of the [2][Government], been effectually so provided for;

(g) as to the periodical submission, by promoters, lessees and licensees, of accounts of traffic and

receipts to the [1][Government] or as that Government directs, and as to the forms in which those
accounts are to be submitted;

(h) as to the accidents of which report is to be made to the [1][Government] or as that Government

directs;

(i) as to any matter respecting which rules may be made under this section by a local authority or a

promoter or lessee; and

(j) generally, as to any other matter or thing in respect of which it may seem to the [1][Government]

to be expedient to make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act.

(2) A local authority may, from time to time, with the previous sanction of the [1][Government],

make rules consistent with this Act and with the order and any rules made by the [1][Government]
under this Act, for regulating—

(a) the rate of speed to be observed in travelling upon a tramway within the circle of the local

authority;

(b) the use of animal power on the tramway;

(c) the distances at which carriages using the tramway are to be allowed to follow one after the

other;

(d) the stopping of carriages using the tramway, and the notice to be given to the public of their

approach;

(e) the manner in which carriages using the tramway after sunset and before sunrise are to be

lighted;

(f) the traffic on roads along or across which the tramway is laid;

(g) the number of passengers which may be carried in any carriage;

(h) the licensing and control of drivers, conductors and other persons having charge of the carriages

of the promoter or lessee or a licensee; and

(i) generally, the mode of use of the tramway.

[3]*       -       -       -       
1. Ins. by Act 5 of 1911, s. 6.
2. Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for “L. G.”.
3. Proviso omitted by the A. O. 1950.

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(3) The promoter or lessee of a tramway may, from time to time, with the previous sanction of the

1[Government], make rules2 consistent with this Act and with the order and any rules made under this
Act—

(a) for preventing the commission of any nuisance in or upon any carriage, or in or against any

premises, belonging to him; and

(b) for regulating the travelling in any carriage belonging to him.

(4) The [1][Government] may cancel any rule made by a local authority or by a promoter or lessee under

this section.

**25. Power to impose penalty by rule.— The authority making any rule under section 24 may direct**

that a breach of it shall be punishable with fine which may extend—

(a) if the authority making the rule is the [1][Government], to two hundred rupees, and

(b) if that authority is a local authority or a promoter or lessee, to twenty rupees; and when the

breach is a continuing breach, with a further fine which may extend—

(c) if the authority making the rule is the [1][Government], to fifty rupees, and

(d) if that authority is a local authority of a promoter or lessee, to five rupees, for every day after

the first during which the breach continues.

**26. Procedure for making, and publication of, rules.—(1) Every authority having power to make**

rules under any section of this Act shall, before making the rules, publish a draft of the proposed rules for
the information of persons likely to be affected thereby.

(2) The publication shall be made, in the case of rules made by the [1][Government], in such manner as

may in its opinion be sufficient for giving information to persons interested, and, in the case of rules made
by a local authority or by a promoter or lessee, in manner prescribed.

(3) There shall be published with the draft a notice specifying a date, not earlier than the expiration of

one month after the date of publication, at or after which the draft will be taken into consideration.

(4) The authority shall receive and consider any objection or suggestion which may be made by any

person with respect to the draft before the date so specified.

(5) The publication in the Official Gazette of a rule purporting to be made under this Act shall be

conclusive proof that it has been duly made.

OFFENCES

**27. Penalty for failure of promoter, lessee or licensee to comply with act or order.—If** a

promoter—

(a) constructs or maintains a tramway otherwise than in accordance with the order, or

(b) opens the tramway for traffic or permits it to be so opened, before it has been inspected and

certified in manner required by section 12, or

(c) fails to observe any requirement or condition of the order for neglect or breach whereof no

penalty has been expressly provided in the order,

or if a promoter, lessee or licensee runs a carriage on a tramway otherwise than in accordance with the
order,

he shall (without prejudice to the enforcement or specific performance of the requirements of this Act

or of the order, or to any other remedy which may be obtained against him in a Court of Civil Judicature),
on complaint made by the [1][Government] or by the local authority or road-authority or by the District
Magistrate or, with the previous sanction of the District Magistrate, by any person injuriously affected by
the act or omission, be punished with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees, and in the case of a

1. Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for “L.G.”.
2. For an instance, see Mad. R. and O.

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continuing offence to a further fine which may extend to fifty rupees for every day after the first during
which the offence continues to be committed.

**28. Penalty for obstructing promoter in exercise of his powers.—If any person without lawful**

excuse, the burden of proving which shall lie upon him, wilfully obstructs any person acting under the
authority of the promoter in the lawful exercise of his powers in constructing or maintaining a tramway,
or injures or destroys any mark made for the purpose of setting out the line of the tramway, he shall be
punished with fine which may extend to fifty rupees.

**29. Penalty for interfering with tramway.—If** any person without lawful excuse, the burden of

proving which shall lie upon him, wilfully does any of the following things, namely:—

(a) interferes with, removes or alters any part of a tramway constructed under this Act, or of the

works connected therewith, or

(b) places or throws upon or across any such tramway any wood, stone, refuse or other

thing, or

(c) does anything in such a manner as to obstruct any carriage using any such tramway,

or

(d) abets within the meaning of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860) the doing of, or attempts to

do, anything mentioned in clause (a), clause (b) or clause (c),

he shall (without prejudice to any other remedy which may be obtained against him in a Court of Civil
Judicature) be punished with fine which may extend to one hundred rupees.

**30. Penalty for using tramway with carriage having flange-wheels.—If any person,**

except under a lease from, or by agreement with, the promoter, or under license from the [1][Government]
granted under this Act, uses on a tramway, otherwise than as permitted by section 14, a carriage having
flange-wheels or other wheels suitable to run on the rail of the tramway, he shall be punished with fine
which may extend to two hundred rupees.

**31. Penalty for evading payment** **of proper toll.—(1)** If any person travelling or having travelled in

a carriage of the promoter or lessee or of a licensee evades or attempts to evade payment of toll, or if any
person having paid toll for a certain distance wilfully proceeds in any such carriage beyond that distance
and does not pay the additional toll for the additional distance or attempts to evade payment thereof, or if
any person wilfully refuses or neglects on arriving at the point to which he has paid toll to quit the
carriage, he shall be punished with fine which may extend to ten rupees.

(2) When a person commits an offence under this section and refuses on demand of a servant of the

promoter, lessee or licensee to give his name and residence, or gives a name or residence which the
servant has reason to believe to be false, he may be arrested and taken to the nearest police-station by the
servant or any person whom the servant may call to his aid.

(3) When the person is taken to the police-station he shall with the least possible delay be forwarded

to the nearest Magistrate, unless his true name and residence are ascertained, in which case he shall be
released on his executing a bond for his appearance before a Magistrate if so required.

**32. Penalty for taking or sending dangerous or offensive goods without giving notice.—** If any

person takes or sends by a tramway any goods of a dangerous or offensive nature without giving
the notice required by section 16, he shall be punished with fine which may extend to fifty rupees.

**33. Penalty for licensee not giving to promoter or lessee an account of traffic or giving**

**false account.— (1) If a licensee fails on demand to give the account mentioned in section 18, or,**
with intent to evade the payment of tolls, gives a false account when he is called upon to give an
account under that section, he shall be punished with fine which may extend to fifty rupees.

1. Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for “L. G.”.

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(2) The fine shall be in addition to any tolls payable by the licensee to the promoter or lessee in respect

of the passengers or goods conveyed by the carriage or carriages used by the licensee on the tramway.

**34. Saving of prosecutions under other laws.—Nothing** in this Act shall prevent a person

from being prosecuted under any other law for an act or omission which constitutes an offence
against this Act or the rules made under it, or from being liable under that other law to any other
or higher punishment or penalty than that provided by this Act or the rules made under it:

Provided that a person shall not be punished twice for the same offence.

SETTLEMENT OF DIFFERENCES

**35. Differences between promoters or lessees and authorities.—(1) If any difference arises**

between the promoter or lessee on the one hand and the [1][Government], or the local authority, or the roadauthority, or a person having the charge of any sewers, drains, telegraph-lines, gas-pipes, water-pipes or
other things in or on land occupied by the tramway, on the other hand, with respect to any interference or
control exercised or claimed to be exercised by, or on behalf of, either party by virtue of this or any other
Act, or of the order or the rules made under this Act, or with respect to the propriety of, or the mode of,
the execution of any work, or with respect to any compensation to be made by or to the promoter or
lessee, or on the question whether any work is such as ought reasonably to satisfy the [1][Government] or
the road-authority or both, or with respect to any other subject or thing regulated by, or comprised in, this
Act or the order or the rules made under this Act, and not otherwise expressly provided for therein, the
matter in difference shall, except where the parties elect to proceed under section 523 of the Code of Civil
Procedure,[2] (14 of 1882) be settled, on the application of either party, by a referee.

(2) Where the difference is—

(a) between the promoter or lessee on the one hand and the [1][Government], either as such or as the

road-authority, on the other, or

(b) between the promoter on the one hand and the local authority on the other, with respect to the

sum to be paid by the local authority for an undertaking or part of an undertaking which that authority
has required the promoter to sell under section 22,

the referee shall be the District Court within the jurisdiction of which the tramway is situate, or, where the
tramway is within the jurisdiction of more than one District Court, the District Court within the
jurisdiction of which the greater part of the tramway is situate.

(3) In other cases the referee shall be appointed by the [1][Government].

(4) Except where the referee is the District Court, the powers and procedure of the referee may be

prescribed.

(5) In the case of a difference between a promoter on the one hand and a local authority on the other,

with respect to the sum to be paid by the local authority for an undertaking or part of an undertaking
which that authority has required the promoter to sell under section 22, an appeal shall lie to the High
Court from the award of the referee as from an original decree of the District Court.

(6) In the case of every other difference the award of the referee shall be final.

RECOVERY OF TOLLS

**36. Recovery of moneys due from promoters and, in certain cases, from lessees.—Any of the**

following moneys, namely, any rent due to a local authority from a lessee, any penalty recoverable from a
promoter or lessee under an order, any sum payable by a promoter or lessee under an award of a referee,
the cost of the performance under this Act by the [1][Government] or by a local authority or road-authority
of any work required by this Act or by an order to be done by a promoter, and the cost incurred by a roadauthority in removing a tramway and reinstating a road under this Act, may, without prejudice to any

1. Subs. by the A.O.1937, for “L. G.”.
2. The relevant provisions of the Arbitration Act, 1940 (10 of 1940) to be referred to.

17


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other remedy that the authority to which the money is due may have by suit or otherwise, be recovered by
that authority, on application made in this behalf to the Collector, as if the sum due were an arrear of
land-revenue due by the promoter or lessee or his surety (if any):

Provided that nothing in this section shall authorize the arrest of the promoter or lessee or his surety in

execution of any process issued by the Collector.

**37. Recovery of tolls from licensees.—(1) If a licensee fails to pay on demand the tolls due for**

the use of a tramway, the promoter or lessee to whom the tolls are due may, without prejudice to the
remedy which he may have by suit, apply to a Magistrate to recover the amount of the tolls, and the
Magistrate may, after giving notice to the licensee, if possible, and allowing him an opportunity of being
heard, proceed to recover the amount by distress and the sale of any carriages or other moveable property
of the licensee which may be found on the tramway or on premises connected therewith.

(2) When a licensee has failed to pay on demand the tolls due from him, the promoter or lessee to

whom the tolls are due may seize any carriage or other moveable property of the licensee on the tramway
or on premises connected therewith, and detain the same for forty-eight hours unless the tolls are sooner
paid.

(3) When application is made to a Magistrate under sub-section (1), he may make an interim order of

distraint pending his final decision.

**38. Recovery of tolls from passengers.—Any toll due to a promoter, lessee or licensee from a**

passenger may be recovered either by suit or, on application to a Magistrate having jurisdiction within
any local area in which any part of the tramway is laid, by distress and sale of any moveable property
belonging to the passenger within the local limits of the jurisdiction of the Magistrate.

SAVINGS

**39. Promoter to have right of user only.—(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, or in**

an order or any rule made under this Act, a promoter shall not acquire any right other than that of user
only over a road along or across which he lays a tramway, nor shall anything contained in this Act, or in
an order or any rule made under this Act, exempt the promoter of a tramway, or any other person using
the tramway, from the payment of such charges as may lawfully be levied in respect of the use of a road
or bridge along or across which the tramway is laid.

(2) The State Government may, if it thinks fit, fix at which a promoter, lessee or licensee may

compound for the charges payable in respect of the use of a road or bridge.

**40. Saving of power over roads traversed by tramways.—(1) Nothing in this Act, or in an order or**

any rule made under this Act, shall take away or abridge any power which a road-authority, local
authority or other person has by law to break up, widen, alter, divert or improve a road, railroad or
tramway along or across which a tramway is laid.

(2) The road-authority, local authority or other person executing any work referred to in

sub-section (1) shall not be liable to pay to a promoter, lessee or licensee any compensation for injury
done to a tramway by the execution of the work or for loss of traffic occasioned by the reasonable use of
any power lawfully exercised for the execution thereof.

**41. Saving of power of local authority and police to regulate traffic on roads.—Nothing in**

this Act, or in an order or any rule made under this Act, shall affect the powers of a local Authority or of a
Magistrate or police-officer to regulate the passage of traffic along or across a road along or across which
a tramway is laid; and the authority Magistrate or officer aforesaid may exercise its or his powers as well
on as off the tramway and with respect as well to the traffic of a promoter, lessee or licensee as to the
traffic of other persons.

SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS

**42. Promoters, lessees and licensees to be responsible for all injuries.—A** promoter,

lessee or licensee shall be answerable for all injuries happening through his act or default, or
through the act or default of any person in his employment, by reason or in consequence of any
of his carriages or works, and shall save harmless all authorities and persons collectively and

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individually, and their officers and servants, from all damages and costs in respect of injuries so
happening.

**43. Want of funds not sufficient reason for default.—For the** purposes of this Act want of funds

shall not be deemed to be a sufficient reason for the suspension of the construction, or the discontinuance
of the working, of a tramway by a promoter or lessee.

**44. Power to exempt from municipal taxation.—When** a tramway is constructed under this

Act within the limits of a municipality, the State Government may exempt the animals, plant,
rolling-stock, yards, workshops, engine-sheds, [1][electrical generating stations or sub-stations] and
depots of the promoter, lessee or licensee, for such period as it thinks fit, from all or any municipal taxes
leviable within those limits.

**45. Application by local authorities of local funds to tramways.—(1)** The fund to or with the

control or management of which the local authority of a municipality, cantonment or district is entitled or
entrusted shall, notwithstanding anything in any enactment respecting the purposes to which that fund
may be applied be applicable, subject to the control of the [2][appropriate Government], to the payment of
expenses incidental to the exercise of the powers and functions which may be vested in or exercised by a
local authority under this Act.

(2) The fund shall also be applicable, with the previous sanction of the [2][appropriate

Government], to a guarantee of the payment of interest on money to be applied, with the concurrence in
writing of the local authority, within the limits of the local area under its control, to any of the purposes to
which the fund might be applied by the local authority under subsection (1).

3[(3) In this section, “the appropriate Government” means the Government, Central or State, whose

executive authority extends over the local authority in question.]

**46. Extension of Act to existing tramways.— The [2][Government] may, with the consent of the local**

authority and road-authority and of the promoter and his lessee (if any), extend any part of this Act, or
any rules made under this Act, either with or without modification, to the whole or any part of a tramway
constructed, or authorised by the [2][Government] to be constructed, before the passing of this Act, and
may withdraw any part of the Act or any rules so extended.

**47. Prohibition of construction of tramways except under this Act.—** (1) A tramway of

which the construction has not been authorised by the [2][Government] before the passing of this Act shall
not, after the passing of this Act, be constructed for public traffic in any place to which this Act extends,
except in pursuance of an order made under this Act.

(2) A person constructing a tramway in contravention of sub-section (1) of this section,

or after the passing of this Act maintaining or using for public traffic, otherwise than in

pursuance of an order made under this Act, a tramway which was not constructed, or authorised
the [2][Government] to be constructed, before the passing of this Act,

shall be liable, on the complaint of the [2][Government] or local authority, to double the penalty to

which a promoter acting otherwise than in accordance with an order is liable under section 27.

**48. Transfer of control on exclusion of local area from circle of local authority.— If at any time a**

local area comprising a tramway to which this Act or any part thereof or any rule thereunder applies
ceases to be included in the circle of a local authority, the functions of that authority under this Act or the
part thereof or the rule thereunder, and under the order (if any), shall, in respect of that local area, devolve
on the [2][Government] or, if that Government so directs, on the local authority of the circle in which the
tramway has been included.

**49.** [Explanation and amendment of section 54 of Railway Act.] Rep. by the Indian Railways Act, 1890

(9 of 1890), s. 2 _and the First Schedule._

1. Ins. by Act 5 of 1911, s. 7.
2. Subs. by the A.O.1937, for “L.G.”.
3. Ins., ibid.

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**50. Powers of Government exercisable from time to time.—All powers conferred by this Act on**

1[any Government] may be exercised from time to time as occasion requires.

1. Subs. by the A.O.1937, for “any L.G.”.

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