Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan at the meeting of Kerala MPs ahead of the upcoming Monsoon session of Parliament, in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: NIRMAL HARINDRAN
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 capMr. 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.
