An aerial view of the Cheruvally Estate.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Amid unresolved legal disputes and renewed political sparring, the proposed Sabarimala Greenfield Airport has once again returned to the spotlight under a new government.
The project, which received in-principle approval from the first Pinarayi Vijayan government in 2017, has since struggled to proceed ahead. With the second Left Democratic Front (LDF) government too unable to push it forward, attention has now shifted to how the newly elected United Democratic Front (UDF) government will approach the long-pending proposal.
Though the State had identified 2,263 acres at Cheruvally estate in Erumely for the airport, the project suffered a major setback in January 2026 when the Pala Sub Court dismissed the State’s claim over the estate. It faced another blow when a High Court Single Bench annulled a government notification to acquire 2,570 acres from Cheruvally estate and adjoining areas, questioning the necessity of acquiring such a large extent of land.
The land in question is currently held by the Ayana Charitable Trust of the Believers’ Eastern Church, and the government has moved the High Court against the earlier verdict, where the matter remains pending.
State’s contention
At the core of the dispute is the State’s contention that the land originally belonged to it and was allegedly transferred unlawfully by Harrisons Malayalam Limited to the Ayana Charitable Trust in 2005, when it functioned under the name Gospel for Asia. The trust, on its part, has also expressed willingness to part with the land, provided the government formally recognises its ownership.
The question that remains now is whether the new government will continue its legal battle or shift strategy towards direct negotiations with the trust to acquire the land and revive the project.
Sources, however, point out that these cases were filed based on a direction issued in a 2018 High Court Division Bench judgment in the ‘Harrisons Malayalam versus Government of Kerala’ case. “It was based on this direction that the Revenue department instructed District Collectors to initiate suits. Hence, this legal process will continue regardless of whether the counsel representing the government is retained or replaced,” they noted.
The project in Erumely has also secured key Central approvals, including in-principle consent from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Defence, they added.
Demand gains momentum
Meanwhile, the demand for an airport in Pathanamthitta district is gaining momentum, with three of the five newly elected MLAs from the district publicly voicing their views on alternative locations.
Aranmula MLA Abin Varkey has said there is nothing wrong in the proposed airport in Aranmula and described it as a potential “game changer” for the region if supported by local communities. He indicated that a detailed study would be undertaken and assured that local interests would not be compromised.
Adoor MLA C.V. Shanthakumar, on the other hand, has proposed Kodumon Estate as an alternative site, citing the availability of around 1,200 hectares of rubber plantation land, minimal environmental impact, and no large-scale displacement. He also highlighted its connectivity through MC Road and the Punalur-Muvattupuzha State Highway, along 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 also suggested that if hurdles persist at Cheruvally, Konni too has suitable locations that could be considered for the project.
Published – May 18, 2026 06:29 pm IST
