JUDGMENT :

The petitioners in W.P.(C) Nos.23554/2021 and 24973/2021, who are holding land in Kanakkary, Njeezhoor and Kuravilangad Villages of Meenachil and Vaikom Taluks in Kottayam District, are before this Court aggrieved by Ext.P4 Government Order dated 18.08.2021 whereby sanction has been accorded by the Government of Kerala for the acquisition of 955.13 Hectares of land of various Villages of Thiruvananthapuam, Kollam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod Districts for Semi High Speed Railway Line (Silver Line) Project by invoking the provisions contained in LARR Act, 2013.

2. The petitioners state that they are in absolute possession and ownership of pieces of land in Kanakkary, Njeezhoor and Kuravilangad Villages of Meenachil and Vaikom Taluks in Kottayam District. The 2nd respondent-State of Kerala and the 4th respondent-Railway Board entered into a Memorandum of Understanding for the formation of a Joint Venture Company on the equity partnership of 51:49, for infrastructure development of Railway in Kerala. The MOU was intended to improve and strengthen the railway traffic facilities in Kerala by establishing