Kerala govt. order declares Neriamangalam-Valara route as revenue land
The Kerala government has issued an order declaring that the Neriamangalam–Valara route on the Kochi–Dhanushkodi Highway is revenue land. The order, issued by Chief Secretary
The Kerala government has issued an order declaring that the Neriamangalam–Valara route on the Kochi–Dhanushkodi Highway is revenue land. The order, issued by Chief Secretary Bishwanath Sinha, stated that the decision was made after verifying all available records regarding ownership claims over the road. Work on the vital stretch has been stalled since July 2025, after the Kerala High Court restricted road-widening and tree-felling. The stay followed a petition filed by Idukki-based environmentalist M.N. Jayachandran. The High Court subsequently directed the government to settle the ownership dispute of the road, prompting the current order.
“Based on the above facts and records, it is evident that the proposed road with expanded Right of Way is lying within 50 feet on either side of the centre alignment of the Neriamangalam–Valara stretch (part of the Kochi–Madurai Highway),” the order stated. “This stretch had already been transferred to the Public Works department nearly a century ago, long before the 1980 enactment, and therefore the land can be construed only as non-forest use land,” said the order. The order further read: “The government has examined the matter in detail and it is hereby ordered that the Neriamangalam–Valara stretch (part of the Kochi–Madurai Highway) is a road poramboke and the status is that of revenue land, and there is no legal or factual obstruction to the road expansion activities of NHAI.” According to the order, the Forest department had previously claimed the area was reserve forest land, while the Revenue department asserted it was revenue land.
The government issued its final decision after a comprehensive review of all historical records. The road development had triggered widespread protests across the district, making the Neriamangalam–Valara stretch a burning issue during the recent local body and Assembly elections in Idukki. Rasak Chooravelil, general convener of the Highway Protection Council, hailed the order as a historic achievement for the people of the hilly district. “From the very beginning, we maintained that the area through which the road passes is revenue land. Finally, the government has vindicated our stance,” Mr. Chooravelil said.
“We now hope that the road-widening work will begin soon, providing the people of Idukki with smooth connectivity to Ernakulam through the development of this highway.”
The BriefWire