Kerala allocates Rs 400 crore for Mission Samudra in Budget 2026-27

Kerala Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan on Friday unveiled the revised Budget for 2026-27, announcing an allocation of Rs400 crore for Mission Samudra, an ambitious initiative aimed at transforming the state into a port-led economy and a global maritime hub.According to agency reports, presenting the Budget in the Assembly, Satheesan, who also holds the Finance portfolio, outlined a vision for building a "New Kerala" through inclusive growth, sustainable infrastructure development and investment-led economic expansion.

Kerala CM Satheesan, who also holds Finance portfolio, allocates Rs 400 crore for Mission Samudra in Budget 2026-27.

Kerala govt committed to stimulating economy through broad-based development strategies, says CM Satheesan.

Kerala Budget allocates Rs 200 crore to turn state… pic.twitter.com/OoRdMD3bEG

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Highlighting the state's fiscal challenges, including financial stress, hidden liabilities, declining remittances and inflationary pressures, the Chief Minister said Mission Samudra would serve as a key driver of economic growth."To achieve these objectives, the government has outlined flagship initiatives," Satheesan said, adding that the project seeks to leverage Kerala's extensive maritime assets, including its 600-km coastline, two international ports, a container transshipment terminal, 17 non-major ports and other water-based resources.
The initiative aims to position Kerala prominently on the global maritime map within the next five years by creating an integrated maritime ecosystem linking ports, roads, railways, inland waterways, industrial zones and greenfield cities.To support the state's broader economic strategy, the Budget also earmarked Rs200 crore for developing Kerala into an aviation and logistics hub centred around its four airports. The government will additionally establish a Data-based Invest Kerala cell to attract investments and address key business bottlenecks.
Fulfilling one of the government's key Indira Guarantee commitments, the Budget allocated Rs10 crore for the Oommen Chandy Health Insurance Scheme, which provides health insurance coverage of up to Rs25 lakh for every family in the state.Another Rs600 crore was set aside for free travel for women and transgender persons on Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses, following the rollout of the first phase of the programme.
The Budget also announced Rs10 crore for initiatives supporting the state's elderly population under a proposed silver economy framework, Rs20 crore for preliminary work on light metro projects in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode, and Rs50 crore for developing an international-standard football stadium in the Malabar region.In a major relief measure for rubber growers, the Chief Minister announced an increase in the minimum support price for rubber from Rs200 to Rs250 per kg.Satheesan further said the project plan fund had been revised to Rs30,300 crore from the Rs35,000 crore proposed by the previous administration, while allocations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and backward communities have also been enhanced as part of the government's inclusive development agenda.