The Kerala Budget has earmarked a significant outlay for the development of the basic surface and water transport infrastructure in the State. An amount of ₹3,061 crore has been set aside for roads and bridges under the Public Works department in the State. This is in addition to the construction works being implemented through the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) and the Rebuild Kerala Initiative.
The government allocated ₹2,134.50 crore for the Wayanad tunnel project, which is expected to give a huge impetus to the agriculture, trade, and tourism sectors of the State. For the development and improvement of State Highways, ₹87 crore has been allocated and ₹309 crore has been set aside for works on major district roads. A sum of ₹500 crore from the KIIFB has been earmarked to carry out development activities along the coast of West Coast Canal which connects Neeleswaram and Kovalam, to exploit the potential for tourism, water transport and freight movement.
Metro in capital, Kozhikode
However, the Budget was silent on some of the upcoming big-ticket projects. For instance, while Kochi Metro Rail Project will be provided ₹289 crore in the 2025-26 financial year for preparing plan for the Kochi Metro Phase II, no allocation was made for the upcoming Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode metro rail projects, except the announcement that these two projects shall be operationalised in due course of time.
Although the State has taken a financial commitment of ₹2,370.59 crore exclusively for the National Highway stretches of Thiruvananthapuram Outer Ring Road, Ernakulam bypass, and Kollam-Shencotta greenfield highway, no allocation was made in the Budget. Similarly, the Budget suggested that a shipyard be established in south Kerala, but wanted the Union government to take the initiative for establishing it.
Non-major ports
The Budget has also said that the 50% State share of the proposed Angamaly-Erumeli Sabari Rail Line Project, costing ₹3,800.93 crore, will be met from the Major Infrastructure Development Project (MIDP) on the basis of actual necessity. The Budget has provided ₹16 crore for the Railway Over Bridge (ROB) works which are to be completed in 2025-26. A sum of ₹65 crore has been earmarked for the development of non-major ports of Azheekkal, Beypore, Kollam, Vizhinjam, Ponnani, Alappuzha, Kodungalloor, Thalasseri, Valiyathura, Vadakara, Kannur and Kasaragod.
Published - February 07, 2025 08:03 pm IST
