1. Since the issues involved in all these writ petitions are common, the learned counsel on either side advanced common arguments in all these writ petitions. Hence all the writ petitions are disposed of by this Common Order.

2. Heard Mr. N.M. Shanmuga Sundaram and Mr. K. Ramasamy, learned counsel appearing for the petitioners and Mr. S. Gomathinayagam, learned Additional Advocate General for the respondents.

3. The petitioners in all these writ petitions have sought for a Writ of Declaration to declare the Land Acquisition Proceedings initiated under the Tamil Nadu Highways Act, 2001 by the respondents regarding their properties situated at Erode Taluk, "C" village, Punjailakapuram village and Pudur B village, as void, unconstitutional and illegal.

4. It is the case of the petitioners that they are the owners of their respective lands, which were acquired by the respondents under the Tamil Nadu Highways Act, 2001. The lands belonging to the petitioners situate very near to Erode Town Limit and that they are suitable for conversion of house sites. The third respondent issued Sec.15(2) notice under the Tamil Nadu Highways Act, 2001 on 8.9.2010 and the Notification was published in