Kerala CM Seeks Rs 22 Billion NDRF Aid, AIIMS Nod from PM

13 Oct 2025 CW Team

“Called on the Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji and requested the urgent release of the full Rs 22.21 billion NDRF grant for Wayanad landslide reconstruction. Also urged immediate approval for establishing AIIMS at Kinaloor, Kozhikode, and sought relief from the punitive cuts imposed on Kerala’s borrowing limits,” Vijayan posted on X.

The meeting formed part of the Chief Minister’s multi-ministerial visit to the capital aimed at addressing fiscal, infrastructure, and security concerns.

On Thursday, Vijayan met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, submitting a detailed memorandum outlining Kerala’s fiscal challenges. He urged the Centre to relax borrowing restrictions and compensate for GST-related revenue losses to safeguard the state’s welfare and development programmes.

The Chief Minister also held talks with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, submitting proposals to strengthen internal security and development frameworks in Kerala. He highlighted the need for enhanced coastal security, women’s safety, forensic infrastructure, and modernised emergency services, while requesting a review of the decision to exclude Kannur and Wayanad from the list of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected districts.

In his meeting with Union Health Minister JP Nadda, Vijayan reiterated Kerala’s long-standing demand for an AIIMS and proposed the creation of a National Institute for Geriatric Care, citing the state’s ageing population and leadership in healthcare.

The Chief Minister also met Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, where he called for the acceleration of key infrastructure projects, including the long-delayed National Highway 66 (NH-66) expansion and other vital transport corridors. Vijayan submitted a memorandum detailing steps taken by the state to facilitate these works and urged central support for their early completion.

The series of meetings underline Kerala’s push for financial flexibility, infrastructure modernisation, and healthcare advancement, with the Chief Minister emphasising cooperative federalism and urgent central intervention to support the state’s development goals.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Friday, seeking urgent financial and policy support for the state. The Chief Minister requested the release of the Rs 22.21 billion National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) grant for Wayanad landslide reconstruction and pressed for immediate approval to establish an AIIMS at Kinaloor, Kozhikode. “Called on the Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji and requested the urgent release of the full Rs 22.21 billion NDRF grant for Wayanad landslide reconstruction. Also urged immediate approval for establishing AIIMS at Kinaloor, Kozhikode, and sought relief from the punitive cuts imposed on Kerala’s borrowing limits,” Vijayan posted on X. The meeting formed part of the Chief Minister’s multi-ministerial visit to the capital aimed at addressing fiscal, infrastructure, and security concerns. On Thursday, Vijayan met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, submitting a detailed memorandum outlining Kerala’s fiscal challenges. He urged the Centre to relax borrowing restrictions and compensate for GST-related revenue losses to safeguard the state’s welfare and development programmes. The Chief Minister also held talks with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, submitting proposals to strengthen internal security and development frameworks in Kerala. He highlighted the need for enhanced coastal security, women’s safety, forensic infrastructure, and modernised emergency services, while requesting a review of the decision to exclude Kannur and Wayanad from the list of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected districts. In his meeting with Union Health Minister JP Nadda, Vijayan reiterated Kerala’s long-standing demand for an AIIMS and proposed the creation of a National Institute for Geriatric Care, citing the state’s ageing population and leadership in healthcare. The Chief Minister also met Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, where he called for the acceleration of key infrastructure projects, including the long-delayed National Highway 66 (NH-66) expansion and other vital transport corridors. Vijayan submitted a memorandum detailing steps taken by the state to facilitate these works and urged central support for their early completion. The series of meetings underline Kerala’s push for financial flexibility, infrastructure modernisation, and healthcare advancement, with the Chief Minister emphasising cooperative federalism and urgent central intervention to support the state’s development goals.

Infrastructure Transport

05 Feb 2026

MMRDA Installs 325-Tonne Steel Spans on Mumbai Metro Line 4

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has achieved a key construction milestone on Metro Line 4 with the successful installation of three large steel spans at Bhandup West during overnight operations.The spans, together weighing 325 metric tonnes, were launched using eight heavy-duty cranes and 12 multi-axle vehicles. The operation required precise engineering and meticulous planning to minimise disruption in the densely populated suburban area.Due to effective inter-agency coordination, the work—originally scheduled across four nights—was completed within just two n..

Infrastructure Transport

05 Feb 2026

CMRL Targets March 2027 Opening for Vadapalani–Panagal Park

Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) is progressing as scheduled to open the Vadapalani–Panagal Park section of Phase II’s Corridor 4 by March 2027. The 3.5 km underground stretch is part of the 26.1 km Corridor 4 connecting Lighthouse with Poonamallee Bypass.Construction activities are advancing steadily, with tunnelling works between Vadapalani and Panagal Park already completed. Track-laying operations are expected to commence shortly. At Panagal Park station, structural works have reached the concourse and platform levels, while excavation continues at the lowest level.CMRL is also consid..

Infrastructure Transport

05 Feb 2026

Maha-Metro Invites Pune Metro Civil Maintenance Bids

Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha-Metro) has invited bids for the annual civil maintenance contract of the Pune Metro Rail Project. The tender, bearing ID and number P1-O&M-20/2025, is scheduled to close on 23 February 2026, with a pre-bid meeting slated for 10 February 2026. The earnest money deposit (EMD) for the contract is Rs 3,50,500, and the duration of the contract is one year.The scope of work includes annual civil maintenance of 28 elevated and underground stations, 28.079 km of elevated viaduct including steel bridges, 12.15 km of tunnels, and two depots under the ..