ORDER :

Leave granted in the special leave petitions

2. These appeals arise out of a common order dated 25th November, 2013 passed by the High Court of Madras whereby W.Ps. No.12897, 15102 and 9542 of 2013 have been allowed and a communication dated 2nd April, 2013 issued by the Government of Tamil Nadu directing the respondent-Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL) to lay gas pipeline along the National Highways without affecting the agricultural lands in the State of Tamil Nadu quashed.

3. A prestigious gas pipeline project of Gas Authority of India Ltd. (GAIL) between Kochi-Kootanad-Mangalore-Bangalore has been planned for execution by the Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL). The laying/construction of the proposed pipeline involves acquisition of right of user in land required for the project under the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Act, 1962 (Act 50 of 1962) hereinafter referred to as "the Right to User Act" and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006. It is not in dispute that the acquisition of right of user in land was undertaken and duly notified in terms of the provisions of the Act aforementioned. Several notifications date