1. In this batch of writ petitions, petitioners who are the land owners are challenging the land acquisition proceedings initiated by the National Highways Authority of India (for short 'NHAI' ) and are seeking for declaring S.3A, S.3C, S.3D, S.3E, S.3F, S.3G & S.3J of the National Highways Act, 1956 (for short 'NH Act' ) as being unconstitutional and are also seeking for quashing of the notification dated 27.02.2013 issued by the Union of India (for short 'UOI' ) in exercise of the power vested under S.3A of the Act in respect of the lands situated in Karwar Taluk, Uttar Kannada District for purposes of widening National Highway No. 66 (formerly National Highway No. 17) and also the consequential notification dated 07.02.2014 issued under S.3D of the Act.

2. For the public purpose of building (widening four laning etc.,), maintenance, management and operation of National Highway No. 66 (formerly National Highway No. 17) on the stretch of land from km 93/700 to km 283/300 (Goa - Karnataka Border to Kundapur reach) in Panaji - Mangalore Section in the district of Uttar Kannada and Udupi in the State of Karnataka, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in exercise of the powers