Monday, 31 March 2025: A wrap of news and developments in Kerala— The Kerala Urban Policy Commission submitted its final report, focusing on urban development strategies.
Published Mar 31, 2025 | 11:39 AM ⚊ Updated Mar 31, 2025 | 11:39 AM
Chottanikkara Devi Temple. (X)
Synopsis: The Kerala Urban Policy Commission submitted its final report, focusing on urban development strategies like city branding and eco-industrial parks. It recommends Thrissur-Kochi as a FinTech hub and Kozhikode as a City of Literature. The Ernakulam Chottanikkara Devi Temple faces controversy over the reinstatement of two assistant priests expelled for assault, allegedly due to political pressure.
The Kerala Urban Policy Commission has submitted its final report to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, marking a significant step in the state’s urban development strategy. Local Self Government Minister MB Rajesh stated that Kerala is the first state in India to establish such a commission to address rapid urbanisation.
A key focus of the report is city branding, proposing Thrissur-Kochi as a FinTech Hub, Palakkad and Kasaragod as Industrial Smart Cities, and the Thiruvananthapuram-Kollam Knowledge Corridor as a research and innovation hub.
Kannur is recommended as a Fashion City, while Kozhikode is suggested to be branded as the City of Literature. Additionally, Kannur-Kasaragod and Thrissur-Ernakulam are identified as Edu-Health Hubs.
The commission, formed in December 2023, conducted 33 studies and 53 stakeholder meetings across Kerala, engaging over 2,500 representatives. Its interim recommendations, such as setting up Metropolitan Planning Committees in key cities and introducing municipal bonds, have already influenced state policies.
With urbanisation expected to exceed 80 percent by 2050, the report suggests a risk-informed master plan integrating climate resilience, the establishment of a Digital Data Observatory, and a Climate Finance Advisory Cell to facilitate access to green funds.
It also proposes eco-industrial parks powered by renewable energy, MSME clusters, decentralised wastewater management, sustainable tourism infrastructure, and conservation of Kerala’s handicrafts and creative industries.
The commission was chaired by M Satheesh Kumar of Belfast University, UK, with members including policymakers, academics, and urban planners. The state government will now review the report before implementation.
Controversy has erupted at the Ernakulam Chottanikkara Devi Temple over the reinstatement of two assistant priests who were expelled for assaulting a fellow priest while intoxicated.
One of them, reportedly a CPI supporter, was allegedly reinstated due to political pressure. The incident occurred on March 23 at Rajeshwari Hotel near the temple, where the victim, an assistant priest at the Keezhkavu sanctum, was attacked over a dispute regarding a pearl necklace for the deity.
He sustained forehead and lip injuries and filed a police complaint, prompting the Devaswom vigilance department to act.
Although both priests were expelled, they later filed a counter-complaint, and the issue was settled at the police station. Following intervention by local CPI leaders, they were reinstated and will resume duties at the Melkavu sanctum on Monday.
Since asst. priests are privately appointed by the chief priests and not Devaswom Board employees, no official vetting process is required.
