Thaindian News

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 17 (IANS) After his 100-day programme launched soon after assuming office in May, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy Thursday unveiled a year-long plan of action, focussing on infrastructure development for the state’s overall development.

“What we lack is infrastructure and hence our thrust would be for this because if we achieve this, then it would put the state on a faster development on account of the otherwise overall advancement that we would have made,” Chandy told reporters here.

Among the main infrastructure development would be laying of world-class roads extending to 1,000 km across the state besides taking over 8,740 km of roads, currently maintained by the local bodies.

“The other major initiative that would start during the coming one year would be going ahead with the 630-km-long Thiruvananthapuram-Mangalore high speed rail corridor, the monorail facility in Thiruvanathapuram and Kozhikode and the Kochi Metro Rail project. All these projects are at various stages of being cleared and when complete, they would provide a face-lift for our state,” said Chandy.

Another major initiative is four new companies — the Kerala Bus Shelter Company, Drinking Water Distribution Company, Public Toilet Company and Clean City Company — to be set up for strengthening public utilities.

“In each of these companies, the state government will hold 26 per cent share and the rest will have to be brought by these companies. They can earn revenue by advertisements and, if necessary, by collecting a user fee for providing the service. There are numerous successful models in this outside of the country. The aim is for overall improvement and providing quality services,” said Chandy.

Another major initiative that will be put into action would be to strengthen police for providing effective and efficient service to the citizen.

“The Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act would be amended to make it more tough for the law breakers. A new agency called State Bureau of Investigation on the lines of the Central Bureau of Investigation would be set up because this has been a request from the centre to all states. A call centre that would exclusively deal with complaints of women would also be set up,” said Chandy.

He also announced that his government would undertake an initiative to reward those who provide vital clues or evidence of corruption in any area, besides protection to them.

“An expert committee has been already formed for setting up the state Whistle Blower Protection Policy and soon this would become operational,” added Chandy.