Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar’s policy address to the 16th Kerala Legislative Assembly on Friday (May 29, 2026) envisioned the creation of a ‘Puthuyuga Keralam,’ built on people-centric, transparent and clean governance. Mr. Arlekar’s address, which lasted for a little over an hour, promised administrative efficiency, fiscal accountability and a “responsible financial recovery strategy” for the State.

Kerala Assembly session highlights – May 29, 2026

Primarily, the policy speech sought to expand on the poll promises of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), particularly the Indira Guarantees and the ‘Dream Projects’ aimed at transforming Kerala into a port-led hub and a civil aviation hub. It also reiterated the government’s plan to hike the welfare pensions to a monthly ₹3000.

Prominent among individual announcements were a three-day monthly menstrual leave for school students, unyielding ‘tactical assaults’ on organised narcotics networks, the establishment of Jawaharlal Nehru Scientific Centres to inculcate scientific temper and a “comprehensive revision” of the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2008.

The policy address listed public finance, youth unemployment, rising living costs, uncertainties in the farm sector and traditional industries and environmental degradation as challenges faced by the State.

A major thrust of the Governor’s address was on recovery strategies on the fiscal front, although it was devoid of direct criticism of the BJP-led Union government. Observing that outstanding liabilities and fiscal constraints place severe pressure on public finance, the policy speech noted that the white paper planned by the government on Kerala’s fiscal health would provide “a clear picture of the State’s finances and for laying the foundation for a transparent and responsible financial recovery strategy.”

Efforts would be made to protect the State’s rights within the framework of Indian federalism and secure “rightful financial allocations and fair and equitable treatment from the Union government.” The State government “believes strongly in cooperative federalism and constructive engagement” with the Centre while “firmly safeguarding” the Constitutional and financial rights of Kerala, it said.

Uprooting drug networks

The policy speech promises a ‘zero-tolerance approach’ towards drug mafias and criminal networks. Modernisation of the Excise Department and the launch of ‘Operation Toofan’ are among measures proposed for uprooting the drug networks.

Climate resilience, waste management, water conservation, river protection and sustainable urban planning will be given priority in every budget and development programme, the policy speech said. A new Water Policy will be drafted to ensure sustainable water use, quality improvement and integrated water-resource management. A highlight of the realigned policy will be water credits for incentivising water management in basins.

On the industrial front, the policy speech outlined the UDF government’s plans for transforming Kerala into a globally competitive, innovation-driven and sustainable industrial economy.

Reviewing land laws

In the case of land, the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2008 will be “comprehensively revised” to permanently resolve issues related to land conversion, according to the policy speech. The government also proposes to establish a Commission to review all land-related laws, it said.

Other thrust areas in the government policy include strengthening public health institutions and ramping up internal electricity generation by tapping renewables and deploying energy storage systems.

In the area of elderly care, the UDF government had announced a new department for the sector. The policy address announced plans to make all cities in Kerala elderly-friendly. ‘Care Cabins’ will serve as support centres at Collectorates, offering legal aid, healthcare and protection services to senior citizens.

In higher education, the government proposes to establish an Academic Syndicate as an apex body for handling administrative and governance-related matters. Other important focus areas in government policy cover popularisation of public transportation and initiatives for transforming Kerala into India’s first ‘orphan-free’ State and ‘most women-friendly State.’

The Kerala Cabinet on Wednesday (May 20, 2026) decided to scrap the K-Rail (SilverLine) semi-high-speed railway project from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod.

Addressing a press conference after the Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan said all the land acquired for the project would be de-notified and the yellow-hued concrete markers that demarcated the prospective line would be removed.

The Chief Minister, however, did not rule out the possibilities of the United Democratic Front (UDF) government coming up with its own semi high-speed rail project. He said that the government was “not against a rail project which will not affect the State environmentally or financially.”

Cases to be withdrawn

“We are not against high-speed rail projects. We opposed K-Rail because it was an environmental disaster and not economically viable. The K-Rail project did not have a proper Detailed Project Report (DPR). The LDF government had given up on the project and alternative projects were being discussed. Unfortunately, land acquired for the project was not de-notified, due to which people were suffering as they were unable to sell or pledge their own property. All the cases connected with the agitation will be withdrawn,” he said.

The Anti-K-Rail SilverLine People’s Struggle Committee had on Tuesday called on Mr. Satheesan to issue an order withdrawing the SilverLine project. Mr. Satheesan had said ahead of the Assembly elections that the UDF would de-notify the land acquired for SilverLine if voted to power.

The State had witnessed strong protests led by the UDF against the project since 2022. Revenue surveyors faced stiff opposition from Congress workers in many places. The party workers had used the uprooting of the yellow markers as a symbolic form of protest against the project. The land-use battle over the SilverLine alignment demarcation reflected resoundingly in the Assembly also with the UDF staging walkouts over the police action against long-time local residents, who, fearful of displacement, resisted the laying of markers for the semi-high-speed railway project.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has also been against the project, with State leaders saying the project lacked Central approval and, hence, lacked credibility. The LDF government had made several unsuccessful attempts to get approval from the Union government. 

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala capital, witnessed hectic preparations ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of the new United Democratic Front (UDF) government led by V.D. Satheesan on Monday (May 18, 2026).

A massive pavilion capable of accommodating nearly 30,000 people has been erected inside the Central Stadium premises, the venue of the ceremony. Roofing sheets, lighting systems, seating arrangements and stage infrastructure have been put in place.

LED walls

Moreover, large LED walls and giant display screens have also been installed at the venue to ensure that attendees seated far from the main stage can witness the proceedings.

The organisers had accelerated the work due to the possibility of rain in Thiruvananthapuram. Although morning showers expected on Monday have triggered concerns about weather disruptions, the fully covered structure and other arrangements are expected to prevent any major impact on the event, official sources said.

Kerala Police have implemented elaborate security arrangements across the capital city, with the organisers anticipating an influx of around 1 lakh people to witness one of the largest political gatherings the State has seen in recent years.

With several VVIPs, including top national leaders, expected to attend the ceremony, the police have brought the city under a tight security blanket. The police and administrative officials are coordinating crowd control, traffic diversions and parking arrangements to avoid severe congestion.

The traffic restrictions will come into effect starting at 7 a.m. to ensure the smooth vehicular flow and secure movement for attendees.

To prevent congestion, specific parking zones have been assigned based on the category of the vehicles and attendees. The vehicles of MLAs and MPs will be parked inside the Government Secretariat complex, while those of officials, police and media organisations will be parked at the Sanskrit College ground, Kerala University campus or University College grounds.

Large vehicles bringing party workers and other public must be parked at Attukal parking ground; Government Homeoepathic Medical College ground, Iranimuttom; Poojappura ground; both sides of the Chakka bypass road; Kuzhivila-Akkulam road; and Kaimanam-Pappanamcode road.

For small vehicles

Small vehicles can utilise grounds across the city including Putharikandam Maidan, Manjalikulam ground, ground near Saphalyam complex, General Hospital, St. Joseph’s School ground, Poojappura LBS College ground, LMS Compound, Chala Boys and Girls Higher Secondary School ground, Government Model Boys Higher Secondary School, Sri Swathi Thirunal College of Music, Government Arts College, Government College for Women, Jimmy George Indoor Stadium, Government Homeopathic Medical College, Iranimuttom, multilevel parking at Saphalyam Complex, Vellayambalam Water Authority compound, Kowdiar Salvation Army School ground, Tagore Theatre compound, PMG Law College Road, left side of the Kowdiar-Kuravankonam Road, and Vikas Bhavan Road.

Two-wheeler parking is permitted on both sides of Pulimoodu-Overbridge Road, left side of the Accountant General’s Office-VJT road, AKG Spencer Road, VJT-Jacobs Road, and the ground opposite the State Central Library.

Vehicles travelling through the city towards Statue will be diverted along various routes during the course of the event.