Kerala Cabinet Approves New Fire Stations, Major Tenders and Salary Hike

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Cabinet on Wednesday approved a series of decisions, including the opening of new fire stations, creation of government posts, major infrastructure tenders, pension revision, and salary increases for contract employees.

New fire stations will be started at Mavoor, Neriyamangalam, Cheemeni and Rajakkad after creating the required posts. For the Mavoor station, 18 posts have been sanctioned. For the other three stations, posts including Assistant Station Officer, Station Fire and Rescue Officer, and Fire and Rescue Officer (Driver) have been approved. Any additional requirement will be met through redeployment.

The Cabinet also decided to create 20 posts of Police Constable (Driver). In the Department of Forensic Science at the University of Calicut, two Assistant Professor posts will be created based on the recommendations of the Registrar and the State Police Chief.

In a move to support traditional workers, the government approved free supply of bamboo to the Kerala State Bamboo Corporation for five years from November 1, 2025 to October 31, 2030. Up to 5,000 metric tonnes of bamboo per year will be supplied from the Kerala Forest Department. The bamboo must be distributed only to poor traditional bamboo workers for handicraft production.

Several major infrastructure tenders were also cleared. A tender worth 28,17,03,463 was approved for water supply works in Kasaragod Municipality and Chemmanad Panchayath, including construction of overhead service reservoirs and laying of gravity main pipelines. Another tender worth 55,21,34,474 was approved for water supply projects in Peravoor, Muzhakunnu and Ayyankunnu in Kannur district. The work includes construction of intake wells, booster stations, water treatment plants, pumping mains, and installation of transformers and pump sets.

A tender worth 21,02,93,091 was approved for constructing a regulator-cum-lock across the Neyyar river at Mavilakkadavu to prevent saltwater intrusion. In-principle approval was also given for a 10 crore project to protect the riverbank along a one-kilometre stretch of the Pamba river near Aranmula temple. The project includes construction of a boat race gallery and walkway, with funding through KIIFB.

In Kollam district, a tender worth 1,60,42,834 was approved for constructing a footbridge across the Ithikkara river at Aanachalkadavu, connecting Chathannoor and Adichanalloor. In Kottayam district, a tender worth 106,67,50,571 was approved for the balance work of road rehabilitation projects under the Rebuild Kerala Initiative, covering a stretch of 22.476 kilometres.

The Cabinet sanctioned the 11th pension revision for pensioners and family pensioners of the Kerala State Housing Board. It also ratified the order fixing the second phase premium of the Medical Insurance Scheme for state government employees and pensioners at 687. An earlier order creating the posts of Public Relations Officer and Biochemist in ICONS has also been ratified.

The validity of the 50 crore government guarantee given to consortium banks on behalf of Kerala Electrical and Allied Engineering Company Limited has been extended for five years from January 1, 2026.

The Cabinet further approved a 10 percent salary increase for contract employees of the State Disaster Management Authority, in addition to the 5 percent hike already granted. EPF benefits will also be provided.