New Delhi, October 10, 2025 – Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held a crucial meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi today at the Prime Minister’s Office, urging immediate Central intervention to address the state’s pressing financial challenges, disaster relief needs, and key infrastructure projects. The closed-door discussions, which lasted over an hour, focused on safeguarding Kerala’s fiscal health and advancing its developmental aspirations, including rehabilitation efforts in landslide-hit Wayanad and healthcare expansions.
During the meeting, CM Vijayan submitted a detailed memorandum outlining Kerala’s demands, reiterating the urgent need for the full release of ₹2,221.03 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) as a one-time grant for the reconstruction of Mundakkai and Chooralmala areas devastated by July’s landslides. He emphasized that treating this as a loan rather than a grant would exacerbate the state’s fiscal strain, hindering recovery efforts. Vijayan also pressed for the swift approval of an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Kinaloor in Kozhikode, highlighting its potential to enhance healthcare access in northern Kerala.
The Chief Minister raised concerns over punitive cuts to Kerala’s borrowing limits, which he argued are impeding the state’s ability to fund essential welfare and development initiatives. He stressed that these measures, combined with GST revenue shortfalls, threaten Kerala’s progress in education, food security, and sustainable urban development—areas aligned with national priorities. Vijayan advocated for a review of these restrictions to ensure fiscal federalism and uninterrupted public services.
The discussions also covered major infrastructure projects, including the National Highways NH 66, NH 744, NH 866, and bypasses in Ernakulam and Punalur. Earlier, Vijayan met Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, who assured early completion of ongoing works and the release of land acquisition funds. The CM also sought support for establishing a School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) in Kerala to bolster urban planning and research capabilities.
Vijayan described the engagement as “productive,” noting that both leaders agreed to maintain open channels for ongoing collaboration. “There might be ups and downs, but our relationship with the Centre remains robust. Kerala will continue to flag its needs without losing hope,” he told reporters post-meeting. This visit, part of Vijayan’s two-day Delhi trip, follows discussions with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on fiscal issues and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on internal security, including restoring Kannur and Wayanad as Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected districts.
The meeting underscores Kerala’s persistent push for equitable Central support amid its financial crunch, with the state hoping for positive outcomes to fuel its recovery and growth trajectory.
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