The Hindu Business Line : PM pledges slew of incentives for Kerala

Central Assurances
Centre committed to the welfare of farmers and agricultural workers.
Will render all possible assistance for the development of the Vizhinjam harbour.
Ministry agrees in principle to take forward Kerala's demand for a new airport in Kannur.

THE PRIME MINISTER, Dr Manmohan Singh, waves to the audience at the foundation stone laying function for the new terminal at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on Wednesday. He is flanked by the State Governor, Mr R.L. Bhatia (left), the Chief Minister, Mr V.S. Achuthanandan. - C. Ratheesh Kumar

Thiruvananthapuram , Nov. 1

The Centre will support Kerala in its efforts to improve air connectivity to the State, said the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh. The Centre is also committed to strengthening Kerala's agricultural and plantation economies, he added.

He made these statements while unveiling the foundation stone of the new international terminal and Air India's maintenance base at the Thiruvananthapuram airport on Wednesday.

The Centre will support efforts to improve Kerala's airport infrastructure and will assist the State in improving air connectivity, which is crucial for Kerala's tourism sector. Air India's maintenance base in Thiruvananthapuram, expected to involve an investment of Rs 50 crore, will generate new employment opportunities in Kerala, he said.

Taking note of the "anxieties of the plantation sector in Kerala," Dr Singh emphasised that people who have made investments in the sector must diversify and make better use of new market opportunities in India and abroad. Efforts must also be taken to make effective use of modern science and technology to improve the productivity of the plantation sector. The Centre is also committed to the welfare of farmers and agricultural workers, he added.

Mass rapid transit system

Expressing the hope that both Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi will take advantage of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission to upgrade the infrastructure in both cities, the Prime Minister added that he hopes that a mass rapid transit system can be developed for Kochi.

"I would also like Kerala to benefit from Bharat Nirman and ensure complete rural electrification and road connectivity," he said. The Centre will also render all possible assistance for the development of the Vizhinjam harbour, near Thiruvananthapuram, Dr Singh added.

Earlier, while addressing the gathering, the Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Mr Praful Patel, said that the Thiruvananthapuram airport is the first of the 35 non-metro airports to be taken up for upgradation. Once completed, the proposed new terminal will be able to cater to approximately 1,000 passengers at a time and will have the capacity to handle 11.67 lakh passengers a year.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has agreed in principle to take forward Kerala's demand for a new airport in Kannur and this project "can be a distinct reality", he said. Air India's proposed maintenance base in Thiruvananthapuram will primarily service Boeing 737-800 aircraft, Mr Patel added.

In his address to the gathering, the Chief Minister, Mr V.S. Achuthanandan, said that the first phase of development of the new international terminal at the Thiruvananthapuram airport would be completed in 18 months. In addition to the 15 acres of land already allotted to Air India for its maintenance base, the State Government will provide additional land to the company if required, he added.

The Kerala Governor, Mr R.L. Bhatia, the Union Minister of Defence, Mr A.K. Antony, and the Union Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, Mr Vayalar Ravi, were among those present on the occasion.

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