THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Finance Minister KN Balagopal announced plans to develop tourism centres through private participation during the budget presentation, aiming to attract an investment of Rs 5000 crore in the sector. The minister highlighted the potential for increased employment opportunities with the growth of tourism start-ups and the development of local tourism centres through private collaboration.

Key budget allocations include:

- Rs 500 crores for Cochin Shipyard

- Rs 10 crores for the next Keralayam programme

- Transform Vizhinjam to special hub

- Approval for Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode metro projects

- Rs 250 crore for the digital university

- Progress with K Rail

- Rs 1698 crore for the agriculture sector

- Creation of 10,000 jobs in the sports sector

- Rs 78 crores for non-toxic vegetables

- Rs 1868 crores for rural development

- Enhancement of eco-tourism centers

- Rs 68 crores for coconut development

- Rs 10,000 crores for the Life Scheme

- Rs 75 crores for the Agricultural University

- Rs 13 crores for crop management

- Focus on higher education in Kerala with Rs 16 crores for Kerala Feeds