Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan addresses the event organized as part of the celebration marking first anniversary of LDF government in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday. Photo: Manoj ChemancheriThiruvananthapuram: The CPM-led LDF government in Kerala was committed to complete all its infrastructure projects, including the much-delayed Gail Pipeline, in a time-bound manner, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Thursday.
Speaking after inaugurating the state-level celebrations marking completion of his government's one year in office, he said Gail officials met him on Thursday and assured that the PSU will also start the process for the City pipeline project.
Opposition parties stayed away from the function.
Attacking the opposition Congress and BJP in the state, he said they were "nervous, dissatisfied and intolerant" over the government's 'achievements' and been making 'destructive' criticism.
"The government always welcomed constructive criticism," he said.
Sounding combative, Pinarayi Vijayan said "We are saying with self courage that we will be able to fulfill all the promises we made. We have completed only one year."
He listed out the various schemes and projects taken up by his government, and said more projects were in the pipeline.
Earlier, shortage of funds was the main hurdle for completion of projects. But now that issue had been sorted out, he said.
The projects would be completed through Kerala Infrastructure Development Fund Board (KIFB), which will raise the necessary funds, the chief minister said.
"There is no need to have any apprehensions with regard to KIFB as it is headed by internationally reputed persons', Vijayan added.
The LDF government had come to power giving thrust to infrastructure development. There were problems relating to land acquisition for the national highway projects, which were overcome following discussions, he said.
"There were protests which are natural. But through discussions we could find a solution to that," he added.
"Today the GAIL officials met me and assured that the GAIL pipeline project will be completed in a time bound manner', the CM said.
The 440 km Kochi-Kootanad-Mangaluru National Gas pipeline network had been delayed in the Kerala stretch due to protests from local people.
The celebrations started with cultural programs, including a dance program by children and 1001 lamps (chirags) were lit.
VS stays away from celebration
Meanwhile, the former chief minister and senior CPM leader V.S. Achuthanandan did not attend the function.
Achuthanandan, who is the present chairman of the Kerala Administrative Reforms Commission, was not officially invited to the function. Instead, he was handed an entry pass issued for MLAs.
He decided not to attend the function as he was not given a formal invite, sources said.
