- (1.) The National Highways Authority of India (hereinafter referred to as the 'Authority') has taken recourse to arbitration proceedings contemplated under sub-section (5) of Section 3-G of the National Highways Act, 1956 (hereinafter referred to as the "Act"). This petition has been filed for quashing the arbitration proceedings in so far as the plots of the petitioners are concerned or in the alternative to separate the case of the petitioners from the other arbitration cases pending in connection with the same acquisition.
(2.) All that has been submitted by the learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioners at the time of hearing of the writ petition is that earlier also different portions of land in the same plots were acquired and compensation was paid and as such there is no good reason as to why the Authority should take recourse to arbitration proceedings in regard to this acquisition and in any case it may take time to decide all the arbitration matters and so the case of the petitioners may be separated.
(3.) We see no good reason to accept the submissions of the learned Senior Counsel for the petitioners. Recourse has been taken to the arbitration proceedings by the Authority under sub-section (5) of Section 3-G of the Act. The interest of the petitioners can, however, be protected by directing the Arbitrator to conclude the proceedings expeditiously and preferably within a period of three months from the date a certified copy of this order is filed by the petitioners.;