JUDGMENT :

N. Seshasayee, J.

1. This Order has two parts, but the division is more an artificiality since the second part is essentially a continuation of the first. What separates them is an attempt at mediated Settlement and the Second part became necessary as the Mediation is reported to have failed. And, the Order will not be complete unless the contents of the Order of this Court dated 4.10.2018, up to the point of issuing specific directions outlining the parameters for Settlement talks, also forms part to this Order to provide continuity. Accordingly, Part I contains Paragraphs 1 to 10, lifted straight from the Order dated 4.10.2018, and the rest constitutes Part II.

Part I

1.1. What is in challenge in this batch of cases is the Land Acquisition proceedings for MRTS Phase-II Extension Project from Velacherry to St. Thomas Mount covering a distance of about 5 km. About 98% of the work covering a distance of 4.5 km. is stated to have been completed, and what remains to be completed is about 0.5 km. which involved acquisition of Private Lands, and this forms the subject matter of this proceedings.

1.2. This controversy is not unfamiliar to this Court, nor are the Petitioners new vis