Union budget on February 1;  Vizhinjam development corridor, Vande Bharat sleeper...Kerala anticipates major announcements

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state anticipates major announcements in the upcoming Union Budget on February 1 that will boost Kerala’s development. These include the Vizhinjam development corridor, AIIMS, Amrit trains for long-distance routes, and Vande Bharat sleeper trains. Expectations rise considering the BJP's recent win in the capital corporation local polls and their optimism ahead of the assembly elections.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the capital on January 23rd is expected to bring big urban development announcements. These could feature prominently in the union budget too. The Vizhinjam development corridor covers rail connectivity, maritime cluster, green hydrogen hub, seafood park, logistics and fish landing centre for the Vizhinjam port. This will pave the way for a massive industrial township from Vizhinjam to Balaramapuram.

Better connectivity via rail, ship, road, and inland cargo transport linking Vizhinjam to Madurai, Chennai, Kochi, and Mangaluru will drive huge growth for Kerala.

The state also hopes for Vizhinjam port integration into the Bharatmala project and freight corridors, plus logistic parks, coastal shipping services, electric bus expansion, metro systems, and modern urban transport in the budget.

Sabari rail line, nuclear power plant
1. Sabari railway line, long-distance Amrit trains, and Vande Bharat sleeper trains may get announced for Kerala.
2. To address power shortages, central aid for a nuclear power plant, solar projects, and battery storage systems is anticipated.

Special financial package demand
The state government has sought a special Rs 21,000 crore package to tackle its financial crisis. Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal raised this during pre-budget talks.