Kottayam (Kerala): The documents influencing the administrative approval of the proposed Sabarimala Airport project are being reviewed once again. This follows an earlier inspection carried out by the Chief Minister and the Ministers of Revenue, Transport, Finance, and Forests. The re-evaluation, now being conducted at the level of the Principal Secretaries of the respective departments, aims to ensure accuracy and eliminate procedural errors.

The decision for a closer review comes after the withdrawal of the earlier government notification, which was challenged in court due to serious errors.

Administrative approval for the project had been expected in March. The final report from the social impact study had recommended acquiring 2,263 acres of land from Cheruvally Estate, along with 307 acres of private property, for the airport’s development. An expert committee that reviewed this report recommended the project, after ensuring rehabilitation measures for people who would be displaced. The Revenue Department had prepared the related file, which included this recommendation, and submitted it for administrative clearance.

However, the initial social impact study from 2024 and the subsequent notification were brought into question for failing to mention the estate’s owner, Ayana Charitable Trust. When the matter was brought before the High Court, the government acknowledged its oversight. As a result, both the study and the notification were cancelled, necessitating a complete restart of the land acquisition process.

Officials from the Revenue Department stated that the current departmental reviews are intended to prevent such issues from recurring. They added that the process would proceed without unnecessary delay. Details such as previous transactions involving the estate land, and the civil case filed by the government at the Pala court over its ownership, will be closely examined.

Once this review is complete, a pre-notification under Section 8(2) of the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act will be issued, along with administrative approval. Following this, officials will measure and mark the boundaries of the project area. A preliminary notification under Section 11(1) of the Land Acquisition Act will then be issued as the next step in the land acquisition process.