Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari announced a ₹3 lakh crore infrastructure plan for Kerala today, spotlighting roads as the backbone of the state’s economic ambitions. Addressing the Invest Kerala Global Summit at the Lulu Bolgatty International Convention Centre in Kochi, he unveiled 31 new road projects worth ₹50,000 crore, part of a broader effort to modernize connectivity across the state.
The two-day summit, kicked off by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, drew over 3,000 delegates, including Union Ministers Piyush Goyal and Jayant Chaudhary. Gadkari detailed key initiatives: a ₹10,800 crore four-laning of the 120-km Palakkad-Kozhikode stretch on NH-966, a ₹6,500 crore six-lane Angamaly-Kundanoor bypass on NH-544 to cut Kochi travel time from 90 minutes to 20, and a ₹5,000 crore, 68.7-km Thiruvananthapuram Outer Ring Road to link Vizhinjam port. The bypass will start within six months, while the ring road awaits 90% land acquisition.
Gadkari stressed that robust roads are critical to boosting Kerala’s tourism and trade appeal, noting completed projects worth ₹20,000 crore and ongoing works of ₹60,000 crore, spanning 896 km in total. The NH-544 bypass and northern Kerala links to Salem aim to ease logistics, while Vizhinjam’s connectivity could elevate its global trade status.
The summit underscored Kerala’s wider goals. Chief Minister Pinarayai Vijayan outlined plans for 15,000 startups and 1 lakh jobs by 2026, leveraging the state’s power and internet strengths. Karan Adani of Adani Ports pledged ₹30,000 crore over five years for Vizhinjam, Thiruvananthapuram Airport, and a logistics hub, signaling private-sector buy-in.
Friday’s announcements hint at a rare Centre-state synergy, bridging political divides between the Narendra Modi government and Kerala’s Left leadership. With tourism, remittances, and tech driving the economy, the ₹3 lakh crore infusion could redefine Kerala’s growth trajectory. Yet, land acquisition remains a hurdle, which could test the pace of delivery. As the summit unfolds, Kerala’s pitch as an investment hub gains momentum, with Gadkari’s road map laying the literal groundwork.