S. Mohan, J.

1. The lands of the petitioners herein were notified for acquisition under the Land Acquisition Act, hereinafter referred to as the Act, along with other lands by the Special Deputy Collector for Land Acquisition, Neighbourhood Schemes, as required by the Chairman, Tamil Nadu Housing Board, in connection with the development of the area as "Kodambakkam-Pudur Neighbourhood", as early as in 1963. The draft notification under Section 4(1) was published on 8-5-1983. The notice under Section 9(3) was issued on 7-9-1964 and the statement of claim was filed by the petitioners on 7-10-1964. Sri Vengeeswarar Devasthanam, one of the owners, preferred W.P. No. 2365 of 1965 concerning an extent of 1.87 acres. The challenge to acquisition was on the ground that this extent formed part of the 'Prakaram' of the temple. That writ petition was allowed on 10-4-1968. There after, one K.R.P. Haran filed W.P. No. 2383 of 1970 stating that in spite of Seven years having lapsed, the award in respect of his lands had not been passed and, therefore, he prayed for a mandamus to expedite the passing of the award. It was represented to this Court that the Special Deputy Collector (Land Acquis