Satheesan urges Kerala MPs to work as ‘true ambassadors’ of State in Delhi
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Thursday (July 9, 2026) called on MPs from Kerala to work as "true ambassadors” of the State in Delhi and
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Thursday (July 9, 2026) called on MPs from Kerala to work as "true ambassadors” of the State in Delhi and work collectively to secure greater Central support for Kerala’s development priorities. Addressing a meeting of Kerala MPs in Thiruvananthapuram ahead of the upcoming Monsoon session of Parliament, the Chief Minister urged them to raise the State’s developmental needs, as well as constituency-specific issues, with Union Ministers and senior officials both inside and outside Parliament. Outlining Kerala’s long-term vision, he said the government aims to transform the State into a ‘port city’ by fully utilising its maritime potential, including two international ports, a container terminal, 17 minor ports and its 600-km coastline. The State has also prepared around 27 aviation projects to integrate its four international airports and attract private investment in the aviation sector.
Achieving these ambitious goals and sustaining welfare programmes would require enhanced Central assistance, including higher budgetary allocations and Kerala’s rightful share of Central taxes, the Chief Minister said. With the State facing a severe financial crunch due to reduced Central grants and restrictions on borrowing, he stressed the need for coordinated efforts by all MPs. Borrowing cap Satheesan also noted that the borrowing cap imposed by the Centre has adversely affected several infrastructure projects, including those in the power sector. Kerala has already contributed over ₹5,000 crore for national highway construction and is expected to raise over ₹3,000 crore for the outer ring road project to improve port connectivity in Thiruvananthapuram. Although the Union Finance Minister had, in principle, agreed to exclude these expenditures from the State’s borrowing limit during a recent visit, sustained follow-up would be required to secure this, he said.
The Chief Minister also said a Central team would soon visit Kerala to study the identification of environmentally sensitive areas. After the visit, the State would present Kerala’s unique ecological concerns to the team and brief MPs for further follow-up. He said recently announced projects, including the Southern Kerala Economic Corridor and the Wayanad Tribal University, also require Central assistance. The Centre should additionally release ₹1,000 crore towards paddy procurement, for which Supplyco has already submitted audited accounts. The meeting urged MPs to actively pursue major railway projects, including the Angamaly-Sabari Rail, Kanhangad-Panathur-Kaniyur, Thalassery-Mysuru and Nilambur-Nanjangud lines, besides further national highway development, restoration of Kerala’s PDS kerosene allocation, and greater Central support for port-rail connectivity, integrated maritime logistics, airport cargo infrastructure and airport expansion. Stronger mechanism To improve coordination, the Chief Minister announced that a stronger mechanism would be established in Delhi to facilitate communication between MPs and the State government.
The BriefWire