Public Works Minister P.K. Basheer emphasized that involving local residents and elected representatives is crucial to avoid prolonged land acquisition processes. He highlighted the need for close coordination with NATPAC to accelerate infrastructure projects across the state.
Key Takeaways
- Community involvement is essential to curb land acquisition delays
- Public‑sector research bodies like NATPAC drive infrastructure innovation
- Kerala’s 2047 vision includes new initiatives for smart, sustainable mobility
Speaking after inaugurating the curtain‑raiser ceremony for the 50th anniversary of the KSCSTE‑National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) in Thiruvananthapuram, Public Works Minister P.K. Basheer stressed that a pragmatic, community‑inclusive approach is indispensable for mitigating land‑acquisition bottlenecks. He warned that without timely completion, infrastructure projects could become cost‑lier and socially disruptive.
Minister’s Core Message
Basheer underscored the necessity of strengthening communication between the Public Works Department (PWD) and NATPAC to fast‑track road and junction upgrades across Kerala. He advocated leveraging the technical expertise of public‑sector research institutions as a catalyst for a technological transformation in the state’s infrastructure sector.
Role of NATPAC and Future Roadmap
Director Ashalatha R. of KSCSTE‑NATPAC reaffirmed the centre’s commitment to shaping policies that enable sustainable, smart, and safe mobility networks. Member Secretary P. Harinarayanan outlined NATPAC’s upcoming research agenda, aligning it with the ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ vision and pledging full institutional support to harness young scientists’ talent.
Golden Jubilee Initiatives
The event also marked the launch of three flagship golden‑jubilee initiatives: the unveiling of a new golden‑jubilee logo symbolising five decades of transport research excellence; the release of an activity calendar by Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Councillor K.R. Cleetus, detailing a year‑long roster of scientific and technical events; and the debut of the ‘TRANSFORM 2026’ logo for NATPAC’s forthcoming international conference on safe and sustainable transportation, announced by MoRTH Director Bidur Kant Jha.
Shaping Future Mobility
The inauguration was followed by a panel discussion titled ‘Kerala On The Move: Shaping Future Mobility for 2047.’ Former NATPAC Director T. Elangovan moderated the session, which revisited NATPAC’s historic contributions to national, hill and coastal highways, and set the stage for a forward‑looking mobility framework that aligns with Kerala’s 2047 development targets.