The court, however, upheld a single judge order who earlier declined to grant police protection for GAIL employees, involved in the project.
A Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice M Y Eqbal and Justice T S Sivagnanam, in their order, directed Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary to convene a meeting for each of the seven districts on the matter.
They said land owners "should also bear in mind" that the project was of national importance and in public interest and therefore, they "should endeavour to make the project successful," so that it would be completed within the scheduled time.
The bench also said suggestions given by the land owners proposing an alternate route may be discussed at the meetings.
GAIL had submitted that it was executing the Kochi-Kuttanad-Mangalore-Bangalore Pipeline Project for the Central Government and was involved in laying of underground transmission lines through Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka for supply and distribution of natural gas to various sectors for over 600 km.
One of the farmers, whose objection to the pipeline passing through his land was rejected by the competent authority, filed a petition, challenging the order.
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Later, on a Central government notification declaring the right of user in the lands specified in the schedule of notifications, GAIL began preliminary work, when certain land owners and farmers prevented it.
GAIL lodged a complaint with Rayakottai police on June 16 last and followed it with a representation to state government for adequate protection to enable them execute the project.
Alleging that their representation was not considered, GAIL filed a petition for a direction to grant police protection, which a single judge declined to grant.