Construction of the much-delayed ₹4,219-crore Light Metro project proposed for Thiruvananthapuram and the ₹2,509-crore project for Kozhikode will commence this year.
Announcing this in the 2017-18 budget, Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac said the works would commence after a final decision was taken on the financing mode. The Kerala Rail Development Corporation (KRDC), joint venture company floated by the State and Railways to execute cost-sharing projects, would undertake nine railway projects, including the Sabari railway line.
The feasibility study had been completed for the Rapid Rail Corridor from the State capital to Chengannur for short distance commuters. The needed funds from the head for major infrastructure will be provided for the Vizhinjam International Port Phase I that has an outlay of ₹6,770 crore.
A sum of ₹22 crore has been allocated for developing the present cargo port as the feeder port of international port coming up in Vizhinjam. The Tangasseri, Munambam, Beypore, and Azhikkal ports have been given ₹46 crore.
The PPP mode will be adopted for the construction of the Ponnani port. A sum of ₹7.3 crore has been earmarked for the Alappuzha marina port and ₹4 crore for other small ports.
Dredging in the ports will be taken up at a cost of ₹13 crore and the Harbour Engineering Department has been given ₹11 crore for modernisation.
