Kerala eyes PPP models in urban governance: LSGD Minister Rajesh
The minister stressed that the urban policy is not a poll-centric move but a long-term roadmap to guide the state’s urban development over the next 25 years.
The minister stressed that the urban policy is not a poll-centric move but a long-term roadmap to guide the state’s urban development over the next 25 years.
The minister stressed that the urban policy is not a poll-centric move but a long-term roadmap to guide the state’s urban development over the next 25 years.
Kochi: Kerala will soon explore implementing Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models in urban governance, said LSGD Minister MB Rajesh. Speaking to the media at Kerala Urban Conclave in Kochi, such projects will be implemented subject to certain conditions and government restrictions in such areas where competitive services can benefit the public. He clarified that excessive user fees will not be levied in such PPP models and they would be promoted selectively.
“PPP models will be implemented but subjected to conditions. The PPP model will be allowed with government restrictions in areas such as waste management, where private players can facilitate service delivery in a competitive manner, projects that help to increase revenue of urban local bodies, and areas that can benefit from better service delivery,” he said.
The urban conclave concluded on Saturday with around 3115 delegates attending over 34 sessions. Over 300 recommendations have been received in the conclave attended by over 275 academic experts, 8 ministers, 17 mayors, technical experts and policymakers from 12 countries. Rajesh said that the draft of Kerala Urban Policy will be finalised after incorporating the recommendations received at the conclave, and then sent for cabinet approval before its release.
When asked whether the urban policy would be released before the election, Rajesh said the government intends to unveil it at the earliest. He stressed that the urban policy is not a poll-centric move but a long-term roadmap to guide the state’s urban development over the next 25 years.
“Urbanisation is happening rapidly, and it is a reality. No state or country can afford to ignore it. What we need is urban development that is both engaging and sustainable. The conclave participants agreed on this vision, regardless of political affiliations,” Rajesh said. He added that Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, lauded the initiative, describing it as “not a Kerala Urban Conclave but a global conclave.”
At the conclave, the Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA) signed an Expression of Interest (EOI) with Belgium-based United Nations University – UNU-CRIS, with a formal MoU to follow pending the Centre’s approval. This marks UNU’s first presence in Kerala, offering programmes on Sustainable Development Goals, climate change, capacity building, and decentralisation. KILA also signed an EOI with UN-Habitat for the global outreach of Kerala’s urban policy. A charter on child- and youth-friendly urban spaces, prepared jointly by KILA and UNICEF, was also released.
Rajesh said that recommendations of the conclave touched on sustainability, inclusiveness, economic growth, skill development, modernisation, and empowering urban local bodies. The government outlined plans for carbon-neutral cities, risk-informed master plans linked with disaster mitigation, and climate action at local levels—already underway in 268 panchayats and soon to be extended to 93 municipalities in a year.
The urban policy commission also identified five economic hubs: Thiruvananthapuram–Kollam (knowledge), Ernakulam–Thrissur (fintech and education), Kozhikode–Malappuram (literature), and Kannur–Kasargod (education, health, and fashion). Business development councils will be set up in each city, supported by data-driven governance tools such as AI and analytics. Urban observatories will be established statewide within two years.
Other measures include performance-based grading of local bodies, a professional urban governance cadre, participatory professionalism with academia and retired experts, and social audits of welfare projects. Technology integration for ward sabhas, GIS-based property mapping, improved accounting practices, and a unified waste management authority were also proposed.
On the Climate Fund recommendation by the commission, Rajesh said more discussions are needed, noting that such funds are usually sourced from international agencies.
Commenting on the absence of Opposition Leader VD Satheesan at the inauguration, Rajesh said Satheesan had initially confirmed his participation but may have stayed away due to the demise of senior Congress leader PP Thankachan.