THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The cabinet has decided to waive the state's share of GST on construction materials and royalty for all projects implemented by the National Highways Authority.

This move will help accelerate the Rs 3 lakh crore road development announced by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari at the Invest Kerala Global Summit. A total of 31 new projects covering 896 kilometres are being implemented. Projects worth Rs 50,000 crore will be initiated soon.

Priority projects include:

1. Widening the 120-kilometer Kozhikode–Palakkad National Highway 966 to four lanes
2. Expanding the bypass from Angamaly to Kundannoor on National Highway 544 to six lanes
3. The 62.7-kilometer Thiruvananthapuram Outer Ring Road
4. A 38.6-kilometer road connecting Kollam more easily with cities in Tamil Nadu such as Sengottai and Tirunelveli.