54. Power to take possession and to construct works in cases of emergency.
(1)If any new work is immediately required to prevent serious detriment to the utility of a canal, the Collector may, notwithstanding anything in the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, take immediate possession of any land required for the construction of the work.(2)When the Collector has taken possession of any land under sub-section (1), he shall, upon application made to him in this behalf, assess and pay compensation under section 55.(3)In the event of sudden and serious damage or urgent risk to a canal or to property situate in the immediate neighbourhood thereof, or to irrigation carried on therefrom, or to the public traffic, the Collector may, after giving previous notice, execute or cause to be executed such works as he may think necessary in order to remedy or prevent such damage or risk, and may require any irrigator to furnish such labour as to the said Collector may seem reasonable and necessary for the immediate execution of such works.(4)Labour furnished under this section shall be paid for at the local market rate.(5)An order passed under sub-sections (3) and (4) shall be final.
