IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 12.02.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY M.Selvakumar .. Petitioner vs

1.The District Collector cum Arbitrator, Office of the District Collector, Ariyalur District, Ariyalur.

2.The Competent Authority cum Special District Revenue Officer (Land Acquisition), National Highways Nos.45C, Vikkiravandi – Kumbakonam -

Thanjavur Division, Ariyalur District.

3.The Project Director, National Highways Authority of India, PIU, Thanjavur. .. Respondents (R3 suo motu impleaded vide order dated 12.02.2026 in W.P.No.3501 of 2026)

Petition filed under Article 226 of The Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a writ of mandamus to direct the first respondent to dispose of petitioner’s appeal petition dated 05.04.2019 filed under Section 3G(5) of National Highways Act No.48 of 1956 (unnumbered, but taken on file) filed against the award No.06/2017-2018 dated 24.11.2017 passed by the second respondent in respect of building in Survey No.250/13B in Kundaveli (West) Village, Ariyalur District.

For Petitioner : Mr.A.Murugan For Respondents : Mr.P.Sathish, Additional Government Pleader for R1 and R2 Ms.S.R.Sumathy, Standing Counsel for R3

ORDER

The petitioner's land was acquired by initiating proceedings under the National Highways Act, 1956. Dissatisfied with the compensation determined in respect thereof, the petitioner had initiated proceedings under Section 3G(5) of the National Highways Act before the first respondent. Such proceedings were initiated in 2019. The present writ petition has been filed for the expeditious disposal of such proceeding.

2. Mr.P.Sathish, learned Additional Government pleader accepts notice for respondents1 and 2. He submits that the District Collector was transferred before award could be issued and that a new District Collector has taken charge. He also adds that the Project Director, National Highways Authority of India is a necessary party and should be added as a respondent.

3. Accepting the submission of learned Additional Government Pleader, Project Director, National Highways Authority of India, PIU, Thanjavur is suo motu joined as third respondent in this writ petition. Ms.S.R.Sumathy, learned standing counsel, accepts notice for the newly impleaded party.

4. Proceedings under the National Highways Act before the District Collector are proceedings under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. The said statute prescribes time limit of 12 months from the completion of pleadings for the conclusion of proceedings by the issuance of an appropriate award. Pleadings in the proceedings initiated by the petitioner were long completed. Therefore, it appears prima facie that the time limit for conclusion of proceedings by issuance of award may have expired. Considering the nature of proceedings, it is appropriate that the mandate of arbitrator be extended. Accordingly, the mandate of the arbitrator is extended by a period of six months and the first respondent is directed to conclude the proceedings and issue an award within the said period.

5. This writ petition is disposed of on the above terms without any order as to costs.

12.02.2026 Index:Yes/No Neutral Citation:Yes/No mmi To

1.The District Collector cum Arbitrator, Office of the District Collector, Ariyalur District, Ariyalur.

2.The Competent Authority cum Special District Revenue Officer (Land Acquisition), National Highways Nos.45C, Vikkiravandi – Kumbakonam -

Thanjavur Division, Ariyalur District.

3.The Project Director, National Highways Authority of India, PIU, Thanjavur.

SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY,J.

mmi

12.02.2026