2 weeks ago
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Amid unresolved ineligible disputes and renewed governmental sparring, the projected Sabarimala Greenfield Airport has erstwhile again returned to the spotlight nether a caller government.
The project, which received in-principle support from the archetypal Pinarayi Vijayan authorities successful 2017, has since struggled to proceed ahead. With the 2nd Left Democratic Front (LDF) authorities excessively incapable to propulsion it forward, attraction has present shifted to however the recently elected United Democratic Front (UDF) authorities volition attack the long-pending proposal.
Though the State had identified 2,263 acres astatine Cheruvally property successful Erumely for the airport, the task suffered a large setback successful January 2026 erstwhile the Pala Sub Court dismissed the State’s assertion implicit the estate. It faced different stroke erstwhile a High Court Single Bench annulled a authorities notification to get 2,570 acres from Cheruvally property and adjoining areas, questioning the necessity of acquiring specified a ample grade of land.
The onshore successful question is presently held by the Ayana Charitable Trust of the Believers’ Eastern Church, and the authorities has moved the High Court against the earlier verdict, wherever the substance remains pending.
State’s contention
At the halfway of the quality is the State’s contention that the onshore primitively belonged to it and was allegedly transferred unlawfully by Harrisons Malayalam Limited to the Ayana Charitable Trust successful 2005, erstwhile it functioned nether the sanction Gospel for Asia. The trust, connected its part, has besides expressed willingness to portion with the land, provided the authorities formally recognises its ownership.
The question that remains present is whether the caller authorities volition proceed its ineligible conflict oregon displacement strategy towards nonstop negotiations with the spot to get the onshore and revive the project.
Sources, however, constituent retired that these cases were filed based connected a absorption issued successful a 2018 High Court Division Bench judgement successful the ‘Harrisons Malayalam versus Government of Kerala’ case. “It was based connected this absorption that the Revenue section instructed District Collectors to initiate suits. Hence, this ineligible process volition proceed careless of whether the counsel representing the authorities is retained oregon replaced,” they noted.
The task successful Erumely has besides secured cardinal Central approvals, including in-principle consent from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Defence, they added.
Demand gains momentum
Meanwhile, the request for an airdrome successful Pathanamthitta territory is gaining momentum, with 3 of the 5 recently elected MLAs from the territory publically voicing their views connected alternate locations.
Aranmula MLA Abin Varkey has said determination is thing incorrect successful the projected airdrome successful Aranmula and described it arsenic a imaginable “game changer” for the portion if supported by section communities. He indicated that a elaborate survey would beryllium undertaken and assured that section interests would not beryllium compromised.
Adoor MLA C.V. Shanthakumar, connected the different hand, has projected Kodumon Estate arsenic an alternate site, citing the availability of astir 1,200 hectares of rubber plantation land, minimal biology impact, and nary large-scale displacement. He besides highlighted its connectivity done MC Road and the Punalur-Muvattupuzha State Highway, on with its proximity to Pathanamthitta and Adoor.
Adding to the debate, Konni MLA K.U. Jenish Kumar, the lone LDF legislator from the district, has besides suggested that if hurdles persist astatine Cheruvally, Konni excessively has suitable locations that could beryllium considered for the project.
