V. Ramasubramanian, J.

1. This appeal filed under Section 54 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, arises out of an award passed by the Land Acquisition Tribunal, enhancing the compensation awarded by the Land Acquisition Officer. We have heard Mr. P. Gunasekaran, learned Additional Government Pleader (Appeals) and Mr. G. Rajan, learned counsel appearing for the respondents 1 and 2.

2. In order to widen and strengthen the existing State Highways Roads and for forming new bypass roads in the important towns in Tamil Nadu, the Government issued G.O. Ms. No. 174, Highways dated 25.9.2001 authorising the District Collectors to acquire lands through private negotiations. In Tiruvannamalai District, about 47 villages located in 4 taluks were chosen for widening of roads and 18 villages in 3 taluks were chosen for forming new bypass.

3. In Tiruvannamalai Taluk itself, the lands located in 8 villages were chosen for acquisition for the purpose of forming bypass. One such village was Nochimalai village. In the said village, the lands chosen for acquisition were located in 24 sub-d