Kerala Budget Integrates Kollam into Southern Economic Corridor with ₹150 Crore Allocation
The Kerala government's revised budget has integrated Kollam district into the newly announced Southern Kerala Economic Corridor, a macrodevelopment blueprint aimed at linking the geographical and economic strengths of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Alappuzha. Kollam is designated as the primary nerve centre for mineral processing and rare earths within this corridor.
To operationalise the corridor and its parallel Rare Earth and Critical Minerals Corridor, the government has allocated an initial financial backstop of ₹50 crore and ₹100 crore, respectively. An expert agency will map out necessary infrastructure and policy interventions.
Parallel to these industrial initiatives, the budget places emphasis on reviving Kollam's traditional industries. An allocation of ₹56 crore has been earmarked under the traditional industries framework for a comprehensive cashew revival package.
The district's animal husbandry and infrastructure sectors have also received direct project-specific outlays. Under the Kerala Chicken Project, the government has sanctioned the establishment of a modern poultry processing plant with a capacity of 1,000 chickens per hour, along with a dedicated pet food factory, both at Kottukkal in Kollam district.
Infrastructure upgrades include ₹5 crore allocated for the initial construction of a skyway and urban park at Chinnakada. While these allocations support specific sectors, the budget does not include a dedicated project aimed at boosting Kollam's regional economy and traditional manufacturing sectors beyond these measures.
