The revised budget presented by Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac on Friday has proposed an allocation of Rs.200 crore to improve infrastructure and build a ropeway at Ponmudi, a tourist destination close to the State capital.
The Veli tourist village phase 2 and Akkulam projects will benefit from Rs.400-crore allocation for improving infrastructure such as road, water transport, electricity, drinking water, and wayside amenities in 20 tourist destinations in the State.
Balaramapuram, a hub of handloom, will be developed as a heritage village,
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Technopark is a gainer, with Rs.76 crore allocation in the budget.
The budget also fulfils the promise made in the Left Democratic Front manifesto for expansion of IT parks with 1 crore sq ft area. Accordingly, Rs.750 crore has been set aside for an 8 lakh sq ft building at Technopark, and Rs.100 crore for a 2 lakh sq ft building at Technocity.
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Attukal
An amount of Rs.100 crore has been set aside in the special fiscal package for infrastructure development as part of the Attukal master plan. The financial burden on this account is expected to be Rs.10 crore this year.
Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple too will get a master plan. The budget has set aside Rs.2 lakh for preparing a feasibility report for the plan.
Ports
A sum of Rs.15 crore has been earmarked in the Budget for making Vizhinjam and few other ports suitable for transporting cargo, and Valiathura and other ports for people.