THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The finance ministry is likely to release funds this week on the tourism department's recommendation to buy 10 new Innova Crysta cars for ministers.

At the current price, ten cars are likely to cost around Rs 2.2 crore. The tourism department had demanded that the cars of the ministers must be replaced as many of them have become outdated. The tire of Finance Minister KN Balagopal's car exploded while running the other day.

Government vehicles are usually replaced after a service life of 10 years or completing three lakh kilometres. However, vehicles of ministers will be replaced after a service life of 3 years or completing one lakh kilometres.

All the vehicles used by the present ministers were purchased during the last government. Most of them have covered one and a half lakh kilometres. No vehicle was purchased for the ministers after 2019.