--- title: "Arippa in Kerala awaits electricity after 14 years" url: https://projectchintan.com/article/arippa-kerala-electricity-dispute-i11ib publisher: Project Chintan author: Project Chintan Newsroom section: Politics published: 2026-08-25T09:33:07.784Z modified: 2026-08-25T12:00:09.093Z language: en-IN --- # Arippa in Kerala awaits electricity after 14 years In Arippa, more than 250 families have lived off the grid for 14 years due to an ongoing land and department dispute. Officials say a six-month timeline is intended to resolve the issue, while residents rely on kerosene or diesel lamps and nearby shops to charge devices. ## Key takeaways - Arippa residents have lived without an electricity connection for 14 years due to a dispute between departmental authorities over land allotment. - Land deeds were handed over before Kerala's April–May 2026 elections, but possession certificates are blocked by procedural gaps and inter-departmental objections. - The Forest Minister says there is an in-principle agreement to protect landless families, with a six-month timeline for resolution and a planned visit to Arippa. ## What Happened In the Arippa settlement within the Kulathupuzha area of Kollam district, Kerala, over 250 families have been without an electricity connection for 14 years. Although land title deeds were finally handed over before the state elections in April–May this year, residents have not received possession certificates from the village office due to a protracted dispute between the Forest and Revenue departments. This impedes their ability to obtain basic utility services, including power and water connections. The root of the delay lies in a procedural lapse during the land distribution drive conducted by the previous administration, according to the state Forest Minister. He indicated that an in-principle government agreement aims to protect the interests of the landless families and that the issue will be resolved amicably, with a visit to Arippa planned in the near future. As a result, residents continue to rely on diesel or kerosene lanterns for lighting. Some young residents depend on a nearby grocery shop to charge mobile phones, paying a daily fee. One resident, Nisha, who once commuted 60 kilometers daily to work at Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram, has spent the past four months at Arippa, fearing that prolonged absence could jeopardize her title deed. Another resident, Ajayan, showed a rejected land title application as part of the broader struggle over land ownership and access to utilities. ## Why It Matters The delay in providing an electricity connection underscores how administrative frictions between departments can leave communities without essential infrastructure for years. Officials acknowledge procedural gaps in the land allotment process that predate the current government, but the immediate disruption affects everyday life for families living in a forested, contested area. The stated objective of the minister is to settle the dispute within six months, which would unlock utility services and stabilize the residents’ living conditions. The situation also reflects broader political implications for governance and public service delivery during a time of potential power sector stress in the state. ## Background The land distribution drive that resulted in title deeds for Arippa occurred shortly before Kerala’s Assembly elections earlier this year. However, the Forest Department objected to certain formalities, leaving possession certificates unresolved and blocking utilities. The Revenue Department had conducted the land handover, but authorities say the process did not complete the requisite statutory formalities. The ongoing friction between the Forest and Revenue departments has thus prevented residents from applying for power connections or other services. Forest Minister Shibu Baby John stated that the Forest Department would not press further claims on the assigned land and that the government has agreed, in principle, to protect the interests of the landless families. He added that the crisis stems from the allotment procedures carried out during the prior administration and that the government intends to resolve the issue amicably and within a defined timeframe. ## Key Facts - Location: Arippa settlement, Kulathupuzha, Kollam district, Kerala, India. - Population affected: more than 250 families. - Time without electricity: 14 years. - Land deeds: handed over before April–May 2026 state elections; possession certificates pending due to disputes between Forest and Revenue departments. - Root cause: procedural lapses in land allotment and unresolved formalities from prior administration. - Current government stance: in-principle agreement to protect landless families; six-month resolution timeline; minister to visit Arippa. - Current living conditions: lighting from diesel or kerosene lanterns; mobile charging via nearby shop for a fee (₹5–₹10 per day). - Notable individual detail: Nisha, long-time resident who stayed back to safeguard her title deed; previously commuted 60 km daily for work at Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram. ## What Happens Next The minister indicated that the entire issue would be resolved within six months and that a visit to Arippa is planned in the near term. If the dispute is settled and possession certificates are issued, residents could apply for basic utilities, including electricity connections, enabling a shift away from off-grid lighting sources. --- Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/arippa-kerala-electricity-dispute-i11ib Reported from: Multiple Sources