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Dr Sam Pitroda, adviser to Prime Minister, will arrive here for a second time this year to do follow-up on a 10-point agenda for fast-tracking development in the State.
He is scheduled to hold a series of meetings with the Chief Minister, Mr Oommen Chandy, his Cabinet colleagues and senior officials, an official spokesman said.
MENTOR TO STATE
Earlier this year, Dr Pitroda had accepted the request to be the mentor of the state and had in turn presented a basic outline on 10 main projects for development.
He had promised to return detailed reports on each of these, and would on Monday present the same to the chief minister for consideration.
Dr Pitroda would be accompanied by Dr R. Gopalakrishnan, member-secretary, National Innovation Council; Dr Darsan Sankar of the Institute of Ayurveda and Integrated Medicine; and Mr K. T. Chacko, Director-General, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade.
MAJOR PROJECTS
Among the projects Dr Pitroda has suggested is the high-speed rail corridor (HSR) linking the north and south of the state and a coastal waterway.
The HSR would bring the country’s bullet train to the State and entails an investment of Rs 1.18 lakh crore.
The waterway would promote feeder services to larger vessels along the coast as well as freight and passenger transport through the inland water networks.
This would not only bring down overall costs of transportation but also have a cascading impact on the tourism industry, the spokesman added.
Dr Pitroda has also suggested the setting up of a ‘knowledge city’ of international standards in the state.
SKILL DEVELOPMENT
It will comprise a world-class centre for studies in mathematics and research and development in green energy.
Another thrust area for Dr Pitroda is skill development of youngsters to groom them to take up developmental challenges confronting the state.
Importantly, the project would also seek to draw on the skill, expertise and experience of persons aged above 55 years of age (who have retired from active service) for state development.
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