Kerala budget 2025: Comprehensive package for coastal development unveiled

Finance minister KN Balagopal has announced a Rs 75 crore special package for comprehensive development of coastal areas, which are facing a severe crisis owing to eroding coasts. He has earmarked Rs 176.98 crore for various developmental projects in the coastal areas.
For coastal protection, an amount of Rs 100 crore is earmarked in the first phase for implementing geo-tube offshore breakwater projects for the protection of various coasts. An amount of Rs 5 crore is earmarked for Kerala State Coastal Area Development Corporation for the construction of geo-tube offshore breakwater in the ‘Thiruvananthapuram-Poonthura Model' for the protection of beaches in Kollam and Cherai.

"No fish drought package was announced despite the crisis," said Jackson Pollayil, president, Kerala Swanthanthra Matsya Thozhulali Federation (KSMTF).
"Geo-tubes as sea walls have failed in the state before. This is an eye-wash. Construction activities like coastal highways and harbours are making our coasts more vulnerable," said Anthony Kurishinkal, district secretary of KSMTF.
An additional Rs 20 crore has been allocated for the Punargeham project, which focuses on the rehabilitation of fisherfolk affected by the coastal crisis. A new Rs 10 crore scheme, has been launched for the renovation and maintenance of old and dilapidated houses of fisherfolk.
"The announcement has been very grand, but there is nothing for the sector that will boost productivity. Projects like Punargeham are actually a ploy to remove the fishers from coastal areas," said Charles George, state coordinator of the Joint Committee for Protection of Fishermen.
The outlay for the fisheries sector has been raised to Rs 295.12 crore. An amount of Rs 139 crore is earmarked for basic infrastructure and human resource development projects for the fisherfolk.
For the marine fisheries sector, Rs 41.10 crore is set aside and Rs 80.91 crore for inland fisheries schemes. For aquaculture, Rs 67.50 crore has been earmarked. For the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana scheme, Rs 40 crore is earmarked as the state share.
An amount of Rs 20 crore is provided for the timely completion of the modernisation of existing fishery harbours and the construction of coastal bridges and roads.