A public call to the Government of Kerala and Government of India

Old Aluva–Munnar Rajapatha

A historic route. A lifeline for connectivity. A vision for sustainable development.

Explore the route Read documents Our demands

Our demand is clear: official survey, inter-departmental coordination, a transparent DPR, and a time-bound decision. NH 85 is not the opponent; Rajapatha is proposed as a complementary parallel route.

The people’s key demand

Recognise Rajapatha. Prepare the DPR.

The Council seeks a coordinated government review of the historic corridor, its land records, engineering feasibility and environmental requirements.

85 km*Existing NH 85

60 km*Proposed route

25 km*Potential distance saving

Route in pictures

RAJAPATHA

Welcome to Rajapatha Development Council

The historic corridor connects the Aluva region with the high ranges through Perumbavoor, Kothamangalam, Thattekkad, Kuttampuzha and Pooyamkutty towards Perumbankuthu and Munnar. The Council seeks a transparent government review of its present status and restoration feasibility.

History & heritage

History of Rajapatha

The representation describes the Old Aluva–Munnar Rajapatha as a historic route linking coastal trading centres with the High Ranges of the Western Ghats. Historical maps, survey plans and government records should be examined by the relevant authorities to confirm the route’s history and present legal status.

Historic trade route

Study the historic links between coastal trade and transport into the High Ranges using documentary evidence.

Survey and government records

Review historic survey plans, revenue records, PWD records and relevant government orders together.

Protect the heritage

Document surviving traces of the historic route and consider heritage and environmental safeguards in any development decision.

1877

Poonjar Concession: examine the agreement and its relationship to high-range transport.

1919

Travancore Gazette: verify the precise land area and geographical scope of the notification.

1924

Floods and route changes: document the reported connection using historical sources.

View PDF · Supplied Malayalam history article Download ↓View PDF · Historic Travancore map Download ↓

The route concept

The Government must formally examine the Old Aluva–Munnar Royal Way

The representation submitted on behalf of tribal residents and the general public calls for restoration of the historic route through Kothamangalam, Thattekad, Pooyamkutty, Kurathikkudy and Perumbankuthu towards Munnar. The request is not to oppose NH 85, but to develop a complementary parallel route after proper technical, legal and environmental assessment.

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NH 85 remains important

NH 85 is a vital existing highway to the High Ranges. Rajapatha is not proposed against NH 85 or as a campaign to undermine it.

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A complementary parallel route

Study whether Rajapatha can add another connectivity option, improve network resilience and support people and villages along the corridor.

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Evidence before decisions

Verify route length, gradients, land status, forest permissions, construction costs, ecological effects and travel-time estimates in a DPR.

Explore the routes

Shorter journeys. Greater possibilities.

Compare the proposed Old Aluva–Munnar Rajapatha with the existing NH 85.

Proposed RajapathaExisting NH 85⊗ Stretch marked as blocked in the supplied image

Schematic based on the supplied campaign image; not to scale. The 85/60 km figures have not been independently verified. A survey must establish distances between identical endpoints. This illustration does not establish current access or legal status.

Existing route*85 km

NH 85

Proposed route*60 km

The route

Potential distance saving*25 km

Per complete one-way journey

From shorter journeys to lower emissions

How much CO₂ could be avoided each year?

An illustrative scenario for trips switching to a shorter route after reopening.

2,272tonnes CO₂ / year • potential tailpipe reduction

Method and limitations

Formula: distance saved × one-way vehicle trips/day × days/year × kg CO₂/vehicle-km ÷ 1,000 = tonnes CO₂/year.

The default 1,000 trips/day is an assumption, not a traffic survey. The 0.249 kg/km factor converts the US EPA passenger-vehicle benchmark of about 400 g/mile (400 ÷ 1.609344 ÷ 1,000). It is not a measured Kerala fleet factor. Adjust it for local vehicles, fuel, gradients and speeds.

This estimates distance-related tailpipe CO₂ only. It excludes construction, land-use change, forest and biodiversity impacts, maintenance, fuel production and induced traffic. It is not the project’s net carbon benefit, and it does not claim savings are occurring today.

US EPA — emission factor reference ↗

RAJAPATHA

Road status: verify each section

Historic corridor and present road access must be distinguished. No inspection date or verified current status has been supplied.

Section	Current status	Last verified / source
Aluva–Kothamangalam	Verification pending	Not supplied
Kothamangalam–Kuttampuzha	Verification pending	Not supplied
Kuttampuzha–Pooyamkutty	Verification pending	Not supplied
Pooyamkutty–Perumbankuthu	Verification pending	Not supplied
Perumbankuthu–Munnar	Verification pending	Not supplied

Route status — to be verified

Map what exists. Identify what is missing.

The supplied campaign notes describe a 43 km Kuttampuzha stretch split into sections and claim that some portions are already motorable. These figures should be checked by joint field inspection and official road records before they are presented as confirmed.

Campaign-reported section	Reported length	Verification needed
Thattekad – Pooyamkutty	15.0 km	Confirm road ownership, surface condition, public access and current vehicle use.
Pooyamkutty – Kurathikkudy / forest check-post stretch	23.5 km	Confirm alignment, access restrictions, land status, bridges and ecological constraints.
KSEB-used road section	4.5 km in the supplied route breakdown	Verify the route, permitted uses and current engineering condition with KSEB and relevant departments.

The supplied infographic also refers to an 8 km BM&BC section and other existing road portions. Lengths and endpoints differ between the provided materials; a single surveyed route schedule is needed to reconcile them.

View PDF · Kuttampuzha Village Officer report — 5 July 2024 Download ↓View PDF · Mankulam Village Office certificate — 2024 Download ↓

Route overview

Recognise the route. Prepare the DPR.

The proposed Old Aluva–Munnar Rajapatha is presented as a shorter, scenic and strategic parallel corridor to NH 85. The campaign infographic highlights the route via Aluva, Perumbavoor, Kothamangalam, Thattekad, Kuttampuzha, Pooyamkutty, Kurathikkudy, Perumbankuthu, Lakshmi Estate and Munnar, alongside potential benefits for connectivity, tourism, tribal communities and local livelihoods.

The infographic's distance and travel-time figures (85 km via NH 85, 60 km proposed Rajapatha and 25 km potential saving) are campaign estimates, not independently verified measurements. Final alignment, road condition, blocked sections, permissions, environmental impacts and feasibility should be established through official survey and the DPR.

Council-supplied Rajapatha campaign infographic; figures require verification — Campaign route illustration supplied by Rajapatha Development Council. Route alignment and all distance estimates require official technical verification.

Recognise the route. Prepare the DPR. ↘

Preliminary comparison

Why should the Government act now?

The submitted representation reports an estimated 60 km Royal Way corridor compared with an estimated 85 km via NH 85. These are campaign figures that require official survey. The central demand is that government agencies verify the route on the ground and publish a DPR rather than leave the proposal unresolved.

Factor	NH 85 — existing highway	Rajapatha — proposed parallel option
Distance	Campaign estimate: 85 km from Kothamangalam to Munnar.	Campaign estimate: 60 km; claimed saving of around 25 km.
Travel time	Can be affected by curves, traffic and monsoon disruption.	Potential improvement must be established through route and travel-time studies.
Geology & safety	Some stretches are vulnerable to landslides, rockfalls and heavy-rain disruption.	River-valley alignment is not automatically safer; slope, flood, wildlife and geotechnical risks must be assessed.
Land & forest approvals	Widening requirements and related costs depend on the approved design.	Historic road records and the claimed 1919 de-reservation / 76-foot PWD width must be verified from official records.
Cost & readiness	Maintenance and improvement costs require current official estimates.	Existing road sections may help, but missing links, bridges, drainage and safeguards need costing.

*Distance figures are reproduced from the campaign proposal and should not be published as verified route measurements until surveyed.

Connectivity is a question of dignity

Listen to the tribal communities along the corridor

The representation identifies tribal settlements in Kuttampuzha, Mankulam, Adimali and Edamalakudy and argues that improved connectivity could support access to healthcare, education, essential services and markets. Government departments must consult the affected communities directly, verify settlement details and include their priorities in the DPR.

Emergency medical access

Assess whether all-weather road access could improve ambulance response and transport for patients, pregnant women and older residents.

Education and public services

Consult families about travel to schools, colleges, health centres, government offices and essential services.

Livelihood and market access

Explore fairer access to markets for agricultural produce, honey, spices and traditional products, with safeguards against exploitation.

Settlements named in the campaign material

Areas for consultation: Kuttampuzha, Mankulam, Idamalakkudy and the Adimali region, including Kurathikkudy. The supplied campaign notes refer to Muthuvan and Mannan communities and to 35+ settlements. Names, spellings, population figures, route proximity and expected benefits must be validated with the respective local bodies and community representatives before publication as official facts.

View PDF · Edamalakudi Panchayat resolution — 21 August 2024 Download ↓View PDF · Mankulam Panchayat RTI response — 19 September 2019 Download ↓

People-first development

A road proposal is also a village-development proposal

For remote settlements, road connectivity can shape access to healthcare, education, emergency response, markets and public services. The Government should assess Rajapatha not only as a transport corridor, but also for its potential to support village development, responsible tourism and local livelihoods—with tribal communities involved in decisions that affect them.

Emergency access

Study whether an alternative corridor could improve ambulance access, disaster response and route resilience during closures on the existing highway.

Tribal community access

Work with communities in and around Kuttampuzha, Mankulam and Idamalakkudy to understand needs for healthcare, education, transport and market access.

Tourism rooted in villages

Explore community-led eco-tourism, village experiences, local guides, homestays, traditional food and cultural heritage—with community consent and environmental safeguards.

Education & healthcare

Assess practical improvements to year-round access to schools, hospitals, public services and emergency facilities.

Village development & local income

Better connections may help village shops, farmers, artisans, local guides, homestays and small enterprises reach visitors and markets more fairly.

Environmental safeguards

Require biodiversity, hydrology, cumulative-impact and social-impact studies before selecting any alignment or construction method.

These animations explain the concepts; they are not footage of the actual locations.

RAJAPATHA

Environment & sustainable development

Development must be evidence-based. Assess each stretch before deciding alignment, construction or permissions.

Land & wildlife

Verify forest/revenue boundaries, wildlife movement and habitat continuity.

Engineering & alternatives

Study slopes, drainage, bridges, existing road assets and minimum-construction alternatives.

Permissions & monitoring

Determine applicable permissions from current records and proposed works; plan mitigation and monitoring.

Village development and tourism

Rajapatha: a route to village opportunity

Subject to government study and required approvals, assess responsible tourism opportunities along Rajapatha that could support local guides, homestays, farmers, artisans and traditional food enterprises.

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Village livelihoods

Explore opportunities for local products and small enterprises to reach markets.

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Responsible tourism

Prioritise nature protection, local culture and the consent of communities.

🤝

Community participation

Include the views of tribal communities and village panchayats in planning.

Historical records & legal questions

Build the case on verifiable documents

The campaign has identified historical land records, government orders and survey records that may be relevant. Their exact wording, applicability and current legal effect should be reviewed by qualified professionals and competent authorities.

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1919 Gazette claim

Campaign material refers to a Travancore Gazette notification and an extent of 325.98 acres said to have been de-reserved and transferred to the Public Works Department. Publish a certified copy and authenticated survey schedule to substantiate the claim.

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Forest and road records

Review the cited KFRI reports from 1989 and 2013, current forest maps, road registers, village records, BTR entries and resurvey documents. Record any disputed sections and access restrictions accurately.

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Government orders & legal review

The supplied material cites G.O. (MS) No. 52/2009, 2019 MoEFCC guidance and court decisions on road access. Confirm the exact documents, case citations, scope and applicability before making legal conclusions.

Important legal and environmental note

Whether forest-clearance requirements apply depends on the land's legal status, the work proposed, the relevant dates and applicable law. Wildlife corridors, elephant movement, biodiversity, flood risk and community rights require evidence-based assessment. This demo does not assert that any approval is unnecessary or that a court has approved the proposed route.

View PDF · PWD road classification order — 4 August 2009 Download ↓View PDF · KFRI Research Report 357 — 1989 Download ↓View PDF · KFRI Research Report 462 — May 2013 Download ↓View PDF · Forest Conservation handbook — 2019 Download ↓

RAJAPATHA

Read the complete background

Two supplied publications explain the campaign and the records it cites.

DOCUMENT 02 · SUPPLIED COMPENDIUM

20 historical, revenue & technical documents

Search the document descriptions, expand their source summaries and download the full compendium.

DOCUMENT 03 · CAMPAIGN ARTICLE

Reviving the Royal Way

Read the complete supplied article on history, community access, existing assets, the legal case and a proposed DPR.

RAJAPATHA

Seven steps towards a transparent decision

Requests for government action; these do not mean restoration has been approved.

Joint departmental meeting

Coordinate PWD, Forest, Revenue, Tourism and other relevant authorities.

Joint survey & demarcation

Establish alignment, land classification, boundaries and existing assets.

Reasoned legal decision

Clarify the 1919 notification, current land records and required permissions.

Technical feasibility & DPR

Investigate bridges, slopes, alternatives, costs and a Detailed Project Report.

Tribal & public consultation

Record community priorities and provide meaningful local participation.

Environmental assessment

Study wildlife, ecology, mitigation and statutory clearances.

Time-bound written response

Publish a reasoned decision, action plan and progress updates.

Our demands to the Government

Four clear demands. Urgent government action.

The Rajapatha Development Council calls upon the Government of Kerala and the concerned authorities to take a clear, public and time-bound decision on restoring the Old Aluva–Munnar Royal Way as a parallel route to NH 85. The demands below state the campaign's position; questions of ownership, jurisdiction and statutory permissions should be addressed through official records and lawful process.

DEMAND 01

End Forest Department intervention on the road

The Council asks that records and lawful jurisdiction be examined and Forest Department intervention on this road be ended where unsupported. Government should officially clarify ownership and control.

DEMAND 02

Convene a departmental meeting led by the Chief Minister

Bring together the Public Works, Forest, Revenue, Transport and Tourism departments under the Chief Minister, announce the Government’s position and set a time-bound programme of action.

DEMAND 03

Take a position supporting restoration in court

In proceedings concerning restoration, the Council asks Government to support reopening on the basis of the available records, applicable law and public interest.

DEMAND 04

Restore public access through the Public Works Department

Under PWD leadership, complete surveys, boundary verification, engineering review, required permissions and safety and environmental measures, then take steps to restore the route for public use.

01 / 04

Our position: This campaign is not against NH 85. It seeks parallel connectivity and better access to services, livelihoods and responsible tourism for tribal settlements and villages.

Our key demands to Government

Recognise Rajapatha. Prepare the DPR.

The Council asks that the Old Aluva–Munnar Rajapatha be assessed as a complementary parallel route to improve connectivity—not as a route opposed to NH 85.

1. Clarify jurisdiction

Jointly examine land records and jurisdiction, and clarify the position of the departments concerned.

2. Convene a meeting led by the Chief Minister

Convene a meeting of relevant departments and announce a clear position and time-bound action.

3. Present a records-based position in court

Take a position that protects the public interest based on available records and applicable law.

4. Open the route through PWD

Complete required surveys, technical assessments, lawful permissions and safety measures, then restore the route.

RAJAPATHA

Rajapatha Development Council

Working towards a practical solution through public consultation, documentary review, field visits and official representations.

People behind the campaign

Rajapatha Team

Meet the people working to raise awareness about the historic Aluva–Munnar Rajapatha proposal. Replace each placeholder with a verified photograph, name and designation.

R01

Council member Photo 01