The state budget presented by Finance Minister KN Balagopal yesterday hints at putting an end to the notion that there is no one in power to work for the development of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital district of Kerala. In the past, the left and right cabinets have not set aside much for the capital. That situation is expected to change drastically from the comprehensive plans announced in the budget for the district.

Funds for IT development, infrastructure development, health, science, education, technology and tourism are welcome. But these should not be confined to mere declarations. In other states of the country, lawmakers often focus on the development of capitals regardless of party affiliation. But Thiruvananthapuram has not received that kind of consideration in the past. Until recently, even Thiruvananthapuram Airport, the first international airport in Kerala, faced neglect. The privatization of the airport has signaled changes there. When the Vizhinjam port becomes operational, Thiruvananthapuram will be able to compete against any capital city in the country. But that goal can only be achieved if the development that accompanies it becomes a reality. Budget announcements can be seen as the beginning of that.

An amount of Rs 26.6 crore has been earmarked for the comprehensive development of the Technopark and an amount of Rs 1000 crore has been earmarked for the acquisition of land for the Thiruvananthapuram Outer Ring Road, which is being constructed to provide better travel facilities outside the city. One of the four new IT corridors to be set up is Technopark Phase III to Kollam. The government is also planning to set up satellite parks near the corridor. Each park is expected to have an area of ​​50,000 to 2 million square feet. There is no doubt that these developments in the IT sector will create a large number of jobs. An amount of Rs 50 crore has been earmarked for the Institute of Virology, Thonakkal, which was started with the objective of making it world class. The budget also says that a science park will be set up near the airport at a cost of Rs 200 crore and a digital science park will be set up near the Technical University. KIIFB will also provide Rs 100 crore to set up a Medical Tech Innovation Park. An amount of Rs 50 crore has been set aside for the project to create a center of excellence at Technocity in Pallipuram. In this way, the budget has announced a number of projects aimed at the comprehensive development of the capital.

A meticulous monitoring system is needed to implement all these plans that will change the face of the capital in the not-too-distant future. That responsibility should be taken up by the ministers representing the constituencies in the capital. Currently, the cabinet has the presence of V Sivankutty, GR Anil and Antony Raju-three energetic ministers from the capital. Although they are the ministers of the whole of Kerala, they also get actively involved in the problems of the capital. As Thiruvananthapuram develops, the face of Kerala changes. Everyone should have that thought in their minds.