NATIONAL HIGHWAY AUTHORITY OF INDIA THROUGH THE PROJECT DIRECTOR Vs. POWER GRID CORPORATION OF INDIA LTD

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Acquisition proceedings initiated and pursued by the appellant-National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) were put to challenge by the respondent No. 1- Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. , another public sector undertaking belongs to the Central Government, mainly contending that the objections raised by the Corporation were not properly considered and decided and hence it was in-violation of the mandatory requirements of Section 3C of the National Highways Act, 1956 (referred to as 'Act of 1956').

(2.) After hearing both the sides, the learned Single Judge arrived at a finding that there was infringement of Section 3C of the Act of 1956 and accordingly, the notification in the case of the writ petitioner and the proceedings/ order under challenge (dated 02-12-2017) came to be set aside as per judgment dated 20- 08-2019, operative portion of which as contained in paragraph-14 reads as follows:

(3.) On challenging the correctness and sustainability of the said verdict on various grounds by filing present appeal, the matter came up for consideration on 21-10-2019, when we drew serious exemption as to the course and conduct being pursued by two public sector undertakings belonging to the Central Government, crossing swords with each other and expressed our hope to have the issue settled by way of other appropriate means, amicably by convening a meeting at Secretary level of the Ministries concerned. Accordingly, we passed an order on that day, which is to the following effect: