K Rail is not a closed chapter, Metro projects in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode; Plan B if centre continues neglect

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Finance Minister K N Balagopal said K Rail is not a closed chapter. Presenting the budget presentation in the assembly, the minister said the government will go ahead with K Rail and is in continuous talks with the Centre.

The minister said they expect central government's approval for the Thiruvananthapuram metro project soon. He said the decision of the government is to go ahead with the Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode light metro projects. The minister added that with the arrival of Vande Bharat, the people and the media understood the rightness of the state government's stand.

The minister blamed the central budget for neglecting Kerala's rail development. He said the Centre is pushing Kerala under economic sanctions and if this neglect continues, will have to think of Plan B. Rs 500 crores have been announced for Cochin Shipyard. Rs 10 crore have also been allocated for the next Keraleeyam programme. The minister also announced that the development of national highways will be given first priority.