Can VD Satheesan and Siddaramaiah resolve decades-old Kerala-Karnataka disputes?

With VD Satheesan sworn in as Kerala’s new Chief Minister, the Congress is now in power both in Kerala and Karnataka, raising fresh hopes of resolving several long-pending disputes between the neighbouring states.

The issues range from the Bandipur night traffic ban and proposed railway lines through ecologically sensitive forests to language rights for Kannada-speaking communities in Kerala’s Kasaragod district. While having the same party in power on both sides may appear advantageous, it also places the Congress leadership in a difficult political position.

The central question now is straightforward: if two Congress governments cannot resolve these disputes, who can? Here are some of the issues facing both states:

Bandipur debate

One of the biggest flashpoints remains the night traffic ban on National Highway 766, which passes through the Bandipur Tiger Reserve and connects Karnataka’s Kollegal region to Wayanad in Kerala.

Vehicles are currently barred from using the stretch between 9 pm and 6 am to protect wildlife movement in one of India’s most ecologically sensitive forest corridors. A final decision on the matter is awaited in the Supreme Court.

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Kerala has opposed the restriction for years, arguing that the highway is critical for trade, tourism and connectivity in northern Kerala. Multiple Kerala chief ministers have attempted to get the ban relaxed, but Karnataka has consistently resisted any change.

Political pressure

The issue has gained renewed political significance because Congress now governs both states. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra represents Wayanad in the Lok Sabha, and any relaxation of the night traffic ban would significantly benefit the district.

Senior Congress leader KC Venugopal has also previously pushed for easing restrictions on the route. However, The Federal Karnataka editor Naveen Ammembala said Karnataka faces pressure from environmentalists, wildlife activists and farmer groups, who view Bandipur as a non-negotiable ecological zone.

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One proposal under discussion is a tunnel route through the forest corridor. But questions remain over the feasibility, environmental impact and whether either state would fully support such a solution.

Railway plans

The Congress governments must also navigate two long-pending railway proposals between Kerala and Karnataka.

The first is a proposed 236-km railway corridor connecting Nilambur in Kerala to Nanjangud in Karnataka, estimated to cost around Rs 4,266 crore. The line is expected to reduce travel time between northern Kerala and Mysuru. The second proposed route seeks to connect Thalassery in Kerala with Mysuru in Karnataka.

However, both railway projects pass through ecologically sensitive areas including Kodagu, Bandipur and Nagarahole. Environmental groups have warned that the projects could lead to deforestation, wildlife disruption and irreversible ecological damage in the Western Ghats.

Kerala itself has acknowledged that the projects remain at the preliminary survey stage without detailed feasibility reports or environmental impact assessments.

Language concerns

Another politically sensitive issue concerns Kannada-speaking communities in Kerala’s Kasaragod district, which borders Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada region.

The previous LDF government in Kerala introduced a policy making Malayalam compulsory up to Class 10. This triggered concerns among Kannada-speaking families in Kasaragod.

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Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah publicly raised the issue and wrote to Kerala authorities through the Kannada Development Authority, arguing that linguistic minority rights must be protected.

The Federal's associate editor Rajeev Ramachandran said Kerala had assured that Kannada language education and safeguards for linguistic minorities would continue under the policy.

Congress challenge

The overlapping disputes now place both Siddaramaiah and Satheesan in politically delicate situations.

Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have strong political interests in Wayanad and northern Kerala, where connectivity projects and highway access remain major concerns.

At the same time, Siddaramaiah faces pressure from environmental groups, Kannada identity organisations and voters who expect Karnataka’s interests to remain protected.

Satheesan, meanwhile, must balance Kerala’s developmental and political priorities with concerns from Karnataka over ecology, wildlife protection and linguistic rights. The situation highlights a larger political reality: even when neighbouring states are ruled by the same party, resolving deeply-rooted interstate disputes may remain far from simple.

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