to industrial centers is a long-standing demand of citizens. Although the Union Government cleared a railway proposal in 1995, the project awaits implementation. The nearest railway stations are at Thiruvalla and Chengannur which are nearly away. The proposed Sabari International Airport, Cheruvally would be the closest airport upon completion, at from Ranni township. The nearest extant airports are Cochin International Airport (110 km) and Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, at , respectively. Education Primary, middle, and secondary schools are available in all the villages of Ranni taluk. However, there are only seven senior secondary schools covering six of the eleven villages. This is primarily because prior to 1997–98, secondary education was offered as pre-degree courses in colleges. As of 2001, there are 138 primary, 59 middle and 35 secondary schools. There are three colleges in Ranni taluk. St. Thomas college, Ranni, an arts and science college established in 1964, is affiliated with Mahatma Gandhi University. For almost four decades this was the only college in the taluk. In 2005, Caarmel Engineering College, a self-financing engineering college, was established in the Ranni-Perunad division, but closed due to financial crisis. The Vishwa Bhramana Arts College and Government Polytechnic College are situated in Vechuchira. The Mar Thoma Teachers’ Training College Ranni is a self-financing institution affiliated with MG University and approved by NCTE. Ranni also has three adult literacy centers. Ranni is a hub of central board schools with St. Mary's School, Ranni, an institution active for over 40 years. Cornerstone International School (including Cornerstone Kidscenter) and Citadel are other secondary options among CBSE schools. These literacy centers or "Saksharatha Kendram" came as a state effort to attain 100% adult literacy. Politics The Ranni assembly constituency is part of Pathanamthitta (Lok Sabha constituency). The main political parties are the Indian National Congress (INC), Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), Communist Party of India (CPI), and Kerala Congress. The BJP (Bharatiya Janatha Party), now AAP (Aam Aadmi Party), has significant influence in the election. Pramod Narayan is the elected representative of Ranni assembly constituency. He successfully contested assembly election in 2021. Media There are three local television channels in Ranni. Citi TV The channel, established in 2002, telecasts news, documentaries, advertisements, albums and other programs. Malanad TV operates from Pazhavangadi. Vismaya TV, established 2014, is the largest local channel in Pathanamthitta district. Culture The Hindu temple of Sabarimala is located in this taluk, situated approximately from