ORDER:

This Writ Petition is filed seeking to declare the action of respondent Nos.1, 4, and 5 in not initiating arbitration proceedings under Section 3G(5) of the National Highways Act, 1956, pursuant to Award Proceedings No. D/575/2018 dated 03.11.2021 and the petitioner’s application dated 02.02.2026, as illegal, arbitrary, and contrary to the provisions of the National Highways Act, 1956; and consequently direct Respondent No. 4 to initiate and conclude the arbitration proceedings in respect of the said award, pursuant to the petitioner’s application dated 02.02.2026, by affording due opportunity of hearing to the Petitioner, and to pass appropriate orders in accordance with law within a stipulated time.

2. Heard Sri Rajesh Kshirsagar, learned counsel for the and Buildings, for respondent Nos.3, 6 and 7 and Sri M. Ramu, learned Standing Counsel for NHAI, for respondent No.8.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner made submissions on the lines of writ affidavit and requested this Court to direct the respondents to consider the aforesaid petitioner’s application as expeditiously as possible.

4. Learned Government Pleader for Land Acquisition submits that if the aforesaid petitioner’s application is still pending, respondent No.4 may be directed to consider the same and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law.

5. In view of the submissions made by the learned counsel appearing on either side, and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, this Writ Petition is disposed of by directing respondent No.4 to consider the aforesaid petitioner’s application, if pending, and to pass appropriate orders in accordance with law, within a period of four (04) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, and to communicate the same to the petitioner. No costs.

Miscellaneous petitions, if any, pending in this Writ Petition, shall stand closed.