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Politics
Kerala Group Keralam to File Supreme Court Petition Against NH Construction Ban
✍️ The Hindu
🗓 20 Aug 2026, 07:41 PM
👁 24
Environmental activist group Keralam announced it will approach the Supreme Court to contest a newly imposed ban on construction activities near a national highway in Kerala.
The environmental advocacy group Keralam has declared its intention to file a petition before the Supreme Court challenging a recent prohibition on construction work near a national highway in Kerala. The ban, imposed by state authorities, aims to curb unregulated development that could threaten road safety and the surrounding ecosystem.
According to the notification, any new building, expansion or related activity within a specified distance from the highway is now barred until further notice. Officials justified the restriction by citing concerns over traffic disruption, increased accident risk, and potential damage to the natural landscape adjacent to the road.
Keralam argues that the blanket prohibition overlooks legitimate development needs and could adversely affect local livelihoods. The group plans to seek a judicial review, asserting that the order was issued without adequate stakeholder consultation and may violate constitutional principles of property rights.
The petition, if accepted, could set a precedent for how environmental and infrastructural interests are balanced in India’s fast‑growing regions. Legal experts anticipate that the Supreme Court will schedule hearings in the coming weeks, after which the matter will be closely watched by both civil society and construction firms.
According to the notification, any new building, expansion or related activity within a specified distance from the highway is now barred until further notice. Officials justified the restriction by citing concerns over traffic disruption, increased accident risk, and potential damage to the natural landscape adjacent to the road.
Keralam argues that the blanket prohibition overlooks legitimate development needs and could adversely affect local livelihoods. The group plans to seek a judicial review, asserting that the order was issued without adequate stakeholder consultation and may violate constitutional principles of property rights.
The petition, if accepted, could set a precedent for how environmental and infrastructural interests are balanced in India’s fast‑growing regions. Legal experts anticipate that the Supreme Court will schedule hearings in the coming weeks, after which the matter will be closely watched by both civil society and construction firms.