Kerala Cabinet Gives Nod For Judicial City, New High Court Building In Kalamassery

Law Minister of Kerala, P. Rajeev recently took to social media to announce that an in-principle Cabinet approval has been received for establishing a Judicial City in Kalamassery, Ernakulam. The project aims to house the Kerala High Court in its premises and is estimated to cost more than ₹1000 crore, for land acquisition and construction.

This new proposal was necessitated due to lack of space and limitations for land acquisition for expansion in the location where the High Court is presently situated, he said. 

The post further says that the decision is a representation of the continuation of actions taken subsequent to the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Chief Minister and Chief Justice of the High Court. It is also stated that the first steps towards implementation and examining possibilities of securing Centre's assistance have been tasked to the Home Department.

After a site inspection done along with a few High Court judges, Kalamassery was found to be the most suitable location for the project considering aspects like accessibility for the public, ease of travel and the geographical location of the area. Justice Muhamed Mustaque, Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice Satish Nitan were involved in the preparation the project details following the site visit.

For establishing the Judicial City encompassing over 12 lakh sq.ft. of building space, 27 acres of land which is held by the HMT would have to be acquired, it is stated. The Public Works Department has also prepared a preliminary blueprint for the same. As per the design, the complex would comprise three towers, conceptualised to reflect the fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution.

While the main tower is planned to have 7 floors, the other two would have 6 floors each. 61 courtrooms, Registrar's officer, auditorium, rooms for committees and facilities for the administrative section is planned. Additionally, there would be specialised blocks for a library, Arbitration Centre, a Recruitment Cell, the I.T. section, and an Information Centre.

Advocate General's Office, Advocates' chambers, parking facilities, and a rainwater harvesting tank are some of the other facilities accounted for in the plan.