The construction of Keralam’s first rural district jail at Puthuppanam, proposed as a solution to the long-standing problems at the Vadakara Sub-Jail, is moving slowly, leaving the existing facility to cope with overcrowding and infrastructure constraints.
The Puthuppanam project had remained on paper for nearly a decade before gaining momentum earlier this year. Although 60 cents of land was transferred from the Irrigation department to the Home department and work on the compound wall was sanctioned, the new jail is still far from becoming operational.
The project was originally proposed as a replacement for the existing Vadakara Sub-Jail. It was later expanded into a rural district jail, requiring changes to the design and additional administrative clearances. These procedural delays contributed to the project remaining stalled for years.
The proposed facility was planned as a three-storey jail with accommodation for more than 200 inmates. It was also expected to include facilities for prison staff and separate arrangements for inmates in drug-related cases. The project is estimated to cost around ₹16 crore, according to details announced earlier this year.
At present, the construction activity is focused on the perimeter wall. The wall and main entrance form the first phase of the project, with the boundary work sanctioned at about ₹2.3 crore. Full-scale construction of the jail building is yet to progress as planned.
The delay is significant for Vadakara, where the existing sub-jail continues to operate under severe space and security constraints. Cells designed to accommodate 14 inmates reportedly house around 20 prisoners at times.
The presence of the NDPS Court in Vadakara also contributes to the regular arrival of remand prisoners, putting additional pressure on the ageing facility. The new jail is also expected to reduce pressure on the Kozhikode District Jail once it becomes operational.
The Puthuppanam facility was intended to provide a modern replacement for the existing jail and address its long-standing capacity and security problems. Meanwhile, prison authorities said the financial constraints which led to the temporary hold-up of work could be resolved soon. They said the matter had already been brought to the attention of the State government.
Published – September 17, 2026 08:37 pm IST
