1. This appeal is directed against the judgment and award (decree) of the learned VI Assistant Judge, City Civil Court, Chennai dated 13.09.1996 made in L.A.O.P. No.24/1993. The claimants whose lands were acquired, have come forward with the present appeal complaining that the amount awarded by the Court below as compensation for the acquired land is grossly inadequate and praying for enhancement of compensation. The 1st respondent herein is the Referring Officer and the 2nd respondent is the Managing Director of the former Pallavan Transport Corporation, presently Metropolitan Transport Corporation, Ayanavaram, Chennai, the requisitioning authority for whose benefit the land was acquired.

2. A total extent of 8 grounds and 2,102 sq.ft of land comprised in Survey Nos.4059/1, 4059/14, 4059/15, 4059/16 and 4059/17 in Tondiarpet Village, within the Sub-Registration Sub-District of Chennai in the District of Madras belonging to the claimants was acquired by the Government for the purpose of construction of bus terminus in Tondiarpet. The draft notification under Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act was approved in G.O.Ms.No.7522 (Transport) dated 31.08.1978 and the same was