Bringing some cheers to Kozhikode, big-ticket projects such as the ₹2,500-crore Light Metro, coastal and hill highways, and expansion of Calicut airport have found mention in the State Budget.
The budget noted that a detailed project report (DPR) on the Light Metro project was ready, and that the construction would begin after a final decision on the financing mode.
Funds for the hill and coastal highways will be raised through a ‘Pravasi Chitty’ proposed for Non-Resident Keralites. The bonds for ₹10,000 crore will be issued through the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB).
Though the Finance Minister said that steps to acquire additional land required for the Calicut airport would be expedited, no funds have been earmarked for the purpose. Similarly, there is no allocation of funds for land acquisition for widening the 8.4-km stretch between Mananchira and Vellimadukunnu on National Highway 212 (New NH 766). The Revenue Department had been awaiting funds worth ₹284 crore commence the four-lane project.
The budget has allocated ₹111 crore to KINFRA to set up an Advanced Technology Park at Ramanattukara, while ₹1 crore has been earmarked for setting up a Japanese-Korean industrial cluster at Mavoor.
A special economic zone for coconuts will be created at a cost of ₹10 crore in Kozhikode, while ₹39 crore has been proposed for the Vellayil and Koyilandy fishing harbours. Beypore port will get a share of ₹39 crore allocated for port expansion in the State.
New blocks will be constructed at tourist guest houses, and Kappad, Iringal, and Thushagiri tourist centres will get a share of ₹80 crore allocated for infrastructure development. A master plan for tourism promotion in Malabar by linking backwaters and rivers will also be formulated.
Kozhikode will get a share of funds mostly proposed under KIIFB for the development of the Government Medical College, Beach Hospital, and taluk hospitals. Similarly, the corporation will get a share of ₹150 crore earmarked for the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) for providing basic civic amenities.
Funds will be sourced from KFIIB to develop various roads in the district.
Mini stadiums have been proposed at Meppayur and Farook Ganapathi schools. Besides, an indoor stadium has been proposed at Vadakara. A new police station will be opened at Pantheerankavu. However, such a proposal had been made in the budget five years ago.
