Sabarimala Airport: Govt Files Appeal in Kerala HC Against Sub-Court Order, Cites Project Delay
Kochi, Feb 24: The Kerala government has approached a Division Bench of the Kerala High Court challenging an earlier order of a Single Bench that quashed the notification issued for acquisition of 2,570 acres of land for the proposed Sabarimala International Greenfield Airport.
The appeal, which has now been admitted, is expected to be taken up for detailed consideration in the coming days as the state attempts to remove legal hurdles delaying the ambitious infrastructure project.
Court Proceedings and Government Appeal
Earlier, the Single Bench had cancelled the preliminary land acquisition notification, observing that the government failed to justify acquiring such a vast extent of land at once. Referring to provisions under the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, the court held that the state had not demonstrated why acquisition should exceed the minimum required area, noting that nearly 1,200 acres could be sufficient for the airport.
The court further directed that any fresh notification would require a new Social Impact Assessment study.
Challenging this finding, the state government informed the Division Bench that issuing a fresh notification and conducting another assessment would significantly delay the project. The government has therefore sought removal of the stay order and permission to continue land acquisition proceedings.
According to the state, the decision to acquire 2,570 acres was made keeping long-term expansion requirements in mind, including runway extension, cargo terminals and allied aviation infrastructure.
Status Quo on Cheruvally Estate Ownership
The airport project is proposed at the Cheruvally Estate near Erumely in Kottayam district. Meanwhile, a Division Bench comprising Justices Devan Ramachandran and M B Snehalatha has already ordered maintenance of status quo regarding ownership of the estate while hearing the government’s appeal against dismissal of its ownership claim by a Pala sub-court.
The ownership dispute involves the Ayana Charitable Trust under the Believers Church, which claims to have legally purchased the land from Harrison Malayalam in 2005 and asserts ownership through long-term possession.
Importance of the Airport Project
The proposed airport is expected to provide major relief to lakhs of pilgrims travelling annually to the Sabarimala Temple. At present, pilgrims arriving by air must land at airports in Kochi or Thiruvananthapuram and undertake long road journeys to reach the shrine.
Planned with a 3,500-metre runway capable of handling large aircraft, the airport aims to significantly reduce travel time and improve connectivity to central Kerala.
Residents of Central Travancore — particularly from Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Idukki districts — are also expected to benefit, especially expatriates seeking easier international travel access. The project is anticipated to strengthen cargo movement of agricultural commodities such as spices and rubber while generating substantial employment opportunities.
Boost to Tourism and Infrastructure
Beyond pilgrimage travel, officials believe the airport will enhance access to major tourist destinations including Munnar, Thekkady and Kumarakom, thereby supporting Kerala’s tourism sector.
The project has already secured preliminary clearances from the Union Civil Aviation Ministry and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. Plans also include improved road connectivity and integration with the proposed Sabari Rail project.
Despite ongoing legal battles over land ownership and acquisition, the airport project remains stalled, casting doubt on the government’s ability to fast-track proceedings and begin construction.