Malappuram needs large projects and major planning to close its infrastructure gap, Industries Minister tells district plan meeting

17 October 2026

Minister for Industries, Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence P.K. Kunhalikutty inaugurated a district level idea formulation meeting for the Fifteenth Five Year Plan at the conference hall of the District Planning Committee, Malappuram. He said Malappuram has a large infrastructure gap compared with other districts, especially in education and health, and that closing it will need large scale projects and major planning. He said classrooms in the district hold about 65 students each, which he called unscientific, and that treatment facilities including ventilators are not in proportion to the population. He said local bodies face limits on funds and borrowing, and urged the use of public private partnership models and private investment, noting that authorities have been set up at district and state levels to simplify partnership procedures. MLA M. Rahmathulla presided and State Planning Board Vice Chairman K.M. Chandrasekhar gave the introductory address. District Collector Dr Vinay Goel gave the welcome address and District Development Commissioner Sakshi Mohan attended. The morning session brought together elected representatives and district officials, and the afternoon session brought together experts and entrepreneurs.