KIIFB – Backbone of Kerala’s Development: 90,562 Crore Across 1,190 Projects in 9.5 Years

Thiruvananthapuram: A total of 1,190 development projects worth 90,562 crore rupees have been implemented through KIIFB over nine and a half years of LDF governance, marking one of the largest infrastructure expansions in Kerala’s history. Of these, 1,183 are infrastructure development projects worth 70,562 crore, and seven are land acquisition packages totalling 20,000 crore. Projects worth 21,881 crore have already been completed, while works amounting to 27,273 crore are progressing at various stages. Under the Public Works Department, 104 projects have been finished, and 5,581 crore was allocated as the state’s share for national highway land acquisition.

In the industrial sector alone, a massive 20,000 crore is being invested for land acquisition. The TransGrid electricity modernisation programme accounted for 1,709 crore. A major boost was given to education infrastructure with the construction of 579 school buildings, while 50 school buildings were renovated under the Fisheries Department. With 44,700 schools fully digitised, Kerala’s education ecosystem continues to set national standards.

Infrastructure milestones include approval for the 2,135-crore Anakkampoil–Meppadi tunnel road, administrative sanction of 1,900 crore for the development of MC Road from Kesavadasapuram to Angamaly, and the creation of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the Vizhinjam–Kollam–Punalur development triangle. In higher education, works worth 2,227 crore are underway.

A major transformation has also taken place in the health sector. Thiruvananthapuram and Kottayam Medical Colleges received significant infrastructure upgrades. Construction has been completed for nine taluk hospitals, two general hospitals, one district hospital, and the Malabar Cancer Centre. Dialysis units were commissioned in 45 hospitals, and 49 isolation wards were established to strengthen public health capacity.

Development Built on Evidence, Not Accusations

While KIIFB’s long-term and tangible development projects are becoming visible across Kerala, the opposition parties have been left in defensive disbelief. When allegations were raised against KIIFB, central agencies were deployed to discredit and impede Kerala’s financing system. Despite this, efforts by the UDF and BJP to undermine development were decisively overcome, and KIIFB emerged as a backbone of Kerala’s growth model.

The opposition had earlier dismissed KIIFB as an impractical vision. Opposition leader V. D. Satheesan claimed in the Assembly that KIIFB was irrelevant and burdensome. When Masala Bonds were issued with Reserve Bank approval, the opposition incorrectly alleged high-interest liabilities — an argument later proven false. Assertions by Ramesh Chennithala regarding the absence of audit were also invalid; Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan clarified that KIIFB is audited as mandated by Section 14 of the CAG Act.

Just days before the 2021 Assembly election, the Income Tax Department arrived for inspections accompanied by television crews, triggering intense on-air debates and media sensationalism. Yet, after examining all documentation, they found no irregularities. The Enforcement Directorate also investigated the Masala Bonds issuance — and again, not a single legal violation was discovered.

A Development Vision Beyond Election Cycles

Kerala’s progress under the LDF has historically excelled in healthcare, education, and social welfare. Yet basic infrastructure had lagged due to systemic constraints. KIIFB’s purpose under the LDF government has been to break economic stagnation and trigger high-impact public-infrastructure investment. While KIIFB was established in 1999, it received statutory strengthening in 2016 — turning it into a dynamic financing engine.

Today, KIIFB’s imprint is visible across sectors — roads, education, healthcare, technology, power, industry, and transport. Even long-delayed national highway construction — once dismissed as an impossible dream — is being executed through KIIFB-backed mechanisms.

Each year, a portion of state revenue is allocated as Kerala’s contribution to KIIFB. Additionally, fundraising takes place through RBI- and SEBI-approved financial instruments, ensuring accountability and continuity in investment.

Kerala’s development foundation today is not built on promises, but on completed roads, functioning schools, modern hospitals, strengthened power infrastructure, and projects that will shape the state’s future for decades to come.