Thrissur MLA seeks link bypass, metro extension and Thrissur Package in Budget debate

Thrissur MLA Rajan Pallan has urged Chief Minister V.D. Satheeshan, who also holds the Finance portfolio, to prioritise key infrastructure and cultural projects for the district.

He raised a series of development demands for Thrissur during the Budget discussion in the Assembly on Tuesday (June 23, 2026).

Foremost among his demands was the immediate implementation of the Mannuthi-Amala Nagar link bypass, envisioned to connect National Highway 544 and National Highway 66. Pointing out that Thrissur remains the only Corporation in Kerala without a bypass, the MLA said preliminary steps had been initiated during the previous United Democratic Front (UDF) regime but these were later neglected by successive Left Democratic Front (LDF) governments. He called for urgent action to revive the project.

Mr. Pallan also proposed developing Kochi and Thrissur as “twin cities,” on the lines of Mumbai and Pune. As part of this vision, he sought extension of the Kochi Metro to Thrissur. Given the likely delays in such a large-scale project, he suggested conducting a feasibility study for a light metro system within Thrissur.

Highlighting the cultural significance of the district, the MLA demanded a special financial package for the world-renowned Thrissur Pooram festival. He also proposed the creation of a tourism circuit connecting major pilgrimage centres, including Vadakkumnathan, Paramekkavu, Thiruvambady, Triprayar, Kodungalloor, Guruvayur and Koodalmanikyam temples.

For the iconic Pulikali festival, he urged the government to provide a financial assistance of ₹2 lakh per team to support organisers and performers.

Mr. Pallan said that the State government owed the Thrissur Corporation nearly ₹200 crore towards pension liabilities of retired employees in the electricity and general wings over the past decade. He said the Corporation, already under financial strain, had been disbursing pensions from its own funds and sought immediate release of the dues.

He also pressed for the announcement of a comprehensive ‘Thrissivaperoor Package’ to revive and complete several development projects initiated during the tenure of the former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and then MLA Therambil Ramakrishnan, which he said were either stalled midway or abandoned by subsequent governments.