Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari said that projects worth Rs.3 lakh crore will be implemented in Kerala by the end of 2025. The Minister was addressing the inauguration and foundation stone laying ceremony of 15 National Highway Projects worth Rs 45,536 crore in Thiruvananthapuram. He said that the Centre aims to implement road infrastructure development having international standards in Kerala. Shri Gadkari said that good roads are the biggest strength of the tourism sector. He also said that these projects will help to increase tourism by three times.
Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari said that three projects will be included in the industrial corridor. A total of 919 km of the industrial corridor will pass through Kerala in these three projects worth Rs 87,224 crore. Mumbai – Kanyakumari Corridor – Total length – 1619 km. 644 km passes through Kerala, the project cost is Rs 61,060 crore. The total distance of the Kanyakumari – Kochi corridor is 443 km. 166 km passing through Kerala. The project cost for this is Rs 20,000 crore. Bangalore – Malappuram- 323 km, 72 km passing through Kerala, the project cost is Rs 7,134 crore. This corridor will pass through 9 districts of Kerala. It will also include the country’s largest six-lane elevated highway. He said that the aim is to complete these three projects before 2024.
Union Minister said that the state should find ways to reduce the use of fossil fuels. Mr. Nitin Gadkari suggested that the state government should take steps to convert the public transport system to biofuel, electric, green, hydrogen, etc. as soon as possible to reduce pollution as well as the cost of travel.
Compared to the land acquisition in other states, Union Minister pointed out that the costs are relatively high in Kerala. He said that this is the biggest obstacle to road development in Kerala.
The 544 km development projects inaugurated today are being implemented by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). It will also include a six-lane highway from Vadakkanchery to Thrissur and a four-lane elevated highway from Kazhakootam to Technopark.
Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan presided over the event. He called it an important day for the development of infrastructure in the state.
Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Shri V. Muraleedharan said that these projects show the cooperation of the people of Kerala for the development of the state. He also said that sanctioning of projects in the country and their implementation are going on at the same speed due to the efforts of the Union Government.
Governor Shri Arif Muhammad Khan, State Minister for Public Works and Tourism & Tourism P. A. Mohamed Riyas, State Food and Civil Supplies Minister Shri G.R. Anil, NHAI Regional Officers Shri S K Razaak, Shri BL Meena among others attended the event.
