Thanikasalam v. The Arbitrator Cum District Collector(Nhai)

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 06.02.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY Thanikasalam .. Petitioner vs 1.The Arbitrator cum District Collector (NHAI), Puducherry.

2.The Competent Authority for Land Acquisition (CALA) cum Deputy Collector (Revenue) South, NHAI, Villianur, Puducherry.

3.The Project Director, National Highways Authority of India, No.29, E 1st Cross Street, Ganapathy Nagar, Moolakulam, Puducherry.

4.The Thasildar, Bahour Taluk, Puducherry.

.. Respondents Petition filed under Article 226 of The Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the first respondent to determine the compensation for land in Survey No.62/3B vide Document No.416 of 1971 dated 10.05.1971 situated at Korkadu Revenue Village, Bahour Taluk, Puducherry under Sections 26 and 28 of Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 and to direct the first respondent to dispose of the arbitration proceedings in Ar.No.10 of 2019 within the time fixed by this Court 1/4

and to enhance the compensation together with interest and all statutory benefits.

For Petitioner :

Mr.G.Ezhil Balaji For Respondents :

Mr.V.Vasanthakumar, Additional Government Pleader for R1, R2 and R4 Mr.Su.Srinivasan for R3

ORDER

The petitioner's land was acquired by the National Highways Authority of India in relation to a four-laning project. Being aggrieved by the compensation determined in relation thereto, the petitioner had approached the first respondent under Section 3G(5) of the National highways Act, 1956. The petitioner states that arbitral proceedings have been pending since 2019. It is also stated that said proceedings are at the trial stage.

2. Mr.V.Vasanthakumar, learned Additional Government Pleader, accepts notice for respondents 1, 2 and 4 Mr.Su.Srinivasan, learned Standing Counsel, accepts notice for the third respondent. They submit that a reasonable time limit may be fixed for disposal.

3. Under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, pleadings are required to be completed within six months and proceedings are required to be concluded by issuing an award within one year from the date of completion of pleadings. The matter has been pending 2/4

since 2019. It is stated to be at the trial stage. Considering these aspects, the first respondent is directed to conclude the proceedings by issuing an award within a maximum period of six months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

4. This writ petition is disposed of on the above terms. There shall be no order as to costs.

06.02.2026 Index:Yes/No mmi To 1.The Arbitrator cum District Collector (NHAI), Puducherry.

2.The Competent Authority for Land Acquisition (CALA) cum Deputy Collector (Revenue) South, NHAI, Villianur, Puducherry.

3.The Project Director, National Highways Authority of India, No.29, E 1st Cross Street, Ganapathy Nagar, Moolakulam, Puducherry.

4.The Thasildar, Bahour Taluk, Puducherry.

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SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY,J.

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