The main legal point established is the authority's power to enter upon lands for high tension transmission projects in the public interest, as provided under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and the Electricity Act, 2003.

(Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records of the impugned paper publications in i). “The New Indian Express, Chennai Edition” dated: 20.04.2016, ii). “The Time of India, Chennai Edition” dated :06.05.2016 & iii). “The New Indian Express, Chennai Edition” dated:20.05.2016 of the 3rd & 11th respondents with respect to the Power Transmission Projects namely.

a. Raigarh to Pugalur 800 KV HVDC Line.

b. Pugalur to North Thrissur 400 KV (Quad) D/C Line.

c. Pugalur HVDC Station – Pugalur Existing 400 KV (Quad) D/C Line.

d. Pugalur HVDC Station – Arasur 400 KV (Quad) D/C Line.

e. Pugalur HVDC Station – Thiruvalam 400 KV (Quad) D/C Line.

f. Pugalur HVDC Station – Edayarpalayam 400 KV (Quad) D/C Line.

g. Edayarpalayam – Udumalapet 400 KV (Quad) D/C Line.

of the 3rd & 11th respondents and quash the same and subsequently direct the 3rd & 11th respondents to issue Fresh paper publications/Notifications with respect to the above Projects with detailed description of the Affected lands & also with the provision of the Hearing objections of such affected land owners by a Third-Party Competent Authority.)

1. The petitioner herein are Agricultural land owners in the districts of Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, Namakkal, Erode, Salem, Villupuram District of Tamil Nadu. Alleging that they are affected by the erection of High Tension Transmission Towers and corridors of Power Transmission project carried by Power Grid Corporation of India/3rd respondent herein has filed this present Writ Petition, seeking Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to quash the paper publication made in daily English newspaper during the month of April and May 2016, with respect to the following Power Transmission Projects.

a. Raigarh to Pugalur 800 KV HVDC Line.

b. Pugalur to North Thrissur 400 KV (Quad) D/C Line.

c. Pugalur HVDC Station – Pugalur Existing 400 KV (Quad) D/C Line.

d. Pugalur HVDC Station – Arasur 400 KV (Quad) D/C Line.

e. Pugalur HVDC Station – Thiruvalam 400 KV (Quad) D/C Line.

f. Pugalur HVDC Station – Edayarpalayam 400 KV (Quad) D/C Line.

g. Edayarpalayam – Udumalapet 400 KV (Quad) D/C Line.

2.It is contended in the affidavit filed by the 11 petitioners herein, who claims to be land owners likely to be affected by the projects, that the Central Electricity Authority/2nd respondent herein, gave prior approval to the Power Grid Corporation of India/3rd respondent herein, for these following three schemes.

1. Scheme # 1: Raigarh – Pugalur 6000 MW HVDC System

2. Scheme # 2: AC System Strengthening at Pugalur and

3. Scheme # 3: Pugalur – Trichur 2000 MW VSC Based HVDC System

3.The said High Tension Transmission Projects is to erect the Towers and overhead lines through the specific route, which passes through the petitioners' land. While implementing the said project, the petitioners' apprehend that the following damages are likely to cause to them and their land.

i. Fragmentation of Agricultural Lands: The lands to the acquired for this project mostly belongs to small farmers having merely 1 to 2 Acres of lands. The Route does not run along the sides of the Fields, rather it runs across the fields. No Borewell was allowed to be laid even for the purpose of irrigation. Hence raises the Question over the Future livelihood of the farmers, whose lands are to be acquired.

ii. Restriction of Cultivation: The Districts, though which the Tower lines passes, are already facing heavy shortage of Agricultural Labourers. So the farmers in the above said districts already migrated to the Cultivation of long Term Crops such as Coconut, Mango etc., which requires less Manpower. But these projects restrict the farmers from cultivating the above said crops. Because of this yearly cultivation and Harvest & Income are stalled, in turn the future of the families of the farmers is lef