The Kerala government has suffered a major legal setback in the long-pending Cheruvally Estate case, raising serious uncertainty over the proposed Sabarimala Greenfield Airport project. The adverse verdict has put a question mark over the state’s plan to use the Cheruvally Estate land for the airport, which was envisioned to improve connectivity for pilgrims visiting the Sabarimala temple.
The dispute revolves around the ownership and possession of the Cheruvally Estate land in Pathanamthitta district, which the state government had identified as the ideal site for the airport. With the court ruling going against the state, the land may no longer be readily available for the project, potentially delaying or derailing the ambitious plan.
The Sabarimala airport project has been projected as a key infrastructure initiative aimed at easing travel for millions of pilgrims, especially during the annual pilgrimage season. The loss of the case could now force the government to either pursue legal remedies, including an appeal, or explore alternative sites for the airport.
Opposition parties have criticised the government, alleging lapses in legal strategy and planning, while the ruling dispensation has maintained that all possible options, including further legal action, will be examined. Officials said the detailed implications of the verdict are being studied before taking the next course of action.
The ruling comes at a time when the state is already facing challenges in executing large infrastructure projects, and the uncertainty surrounding the Cheruvally Estate land adds a fresh hurdle to the long-discussed Sabarimala airport proposal.
