Kerala Politics & Governance

NORKA coordinates Gulf support for Keralites affected by travel disruption

1 March 2026

NORKA Roots formed six Gulf-based support groups and regional coordination teams to assist Keralites affected by travel disruption amid the West Asian conflict. By 5 p.m. on 4 March, its helpdesk had received 787 enquiries since 28 February, and support was being coordinated for stranded travellers and others needing urgent assistance.

A control room was set up at NORKA Centre, while the National Health Mission arranged Tele-MANAS counselling for those who needed it. NORKA advised expatriates to follow official information from local authorities and Indian missions.

Key Facts

• The National Health Mission seeks equitable, affordable, quality healthcare access, spanning rural and urban health systems.

First phase of Wayanad rehabilitation township hands over 178 homes

1 March 2026

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the first phase of the Wayanad rehabilitation township for families affected by the Mundakkai–Chooralmala landslide. Keys to 178 completed homes and land-title deeds were handed to beneficiary families.

The township is planned for 402 families and includes shared facilities such as a community hall, disaster shelter and football ground. Vijayan said the remaining affected families would be moved into homes before the next monsoon; this was a commitment, not a completed outcome.

Key Facts

• The township’s homes and shared infrastructure are designed to withstand natural disasters, adding resilience to rehabilitation.

Foundation laid for ₹45-crore Kalpetta hospital annex

1 March 2026

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan laid the foundation stone for a ₹45-crore multi-storey annex at Kalpetta General Hospital. KSFE is to fund the project through money raised in its employees’ salary challenge and the institution’s own contribution.

The planned annex is intended to strengthen healthcare services in Wayanad and is to include modern facilities.

Key Facts

• KSFE is a Kerala-government-owned public-sector non-banking financial company, providing the institutional framework behind its contribution.

Mangaluru–Rameswaram weekly express connects North Kerala

1 March 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the weekly Mangaluru Central–Rameswaram Express (16621/16622), providing a direct rail connection from North Kerala to Rameswaram. Kerala stops listed for the service are Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Shoranur and Palakkad.

The route also stops at Palani, Oddanchatram, Dindigul, Madurai, Manamadurai and Ramanathapuram before reaching Rameswaram.

Key Facts

• The Pamban railway bridge links Rameswaram on Pamban Island with mainland India, enabling rail access to the island.

West Asia tensions disrupt Kerala air-cargo exports

2 March 2026

The Kerala Exporters Forum reported that West Asia tensions had disrupted the state’s air-cargo shipments, with consignments held or cancelled. Its general secretary estimated that about 20 consignments carrying roughly 20 tonnes were affected over two days; the forum also said exports through Kerala’s four airports had nearly stopped, against usual daily Gulf shipments of 140–150 tonnes of fruit and vegetables.

Key Facts

• The Kerala Exporters Forum is a nonprofit that represents exporters’ interests and supports the sector’s growth.

West Asia tensions disrupt flights at Kerala airports

2 March 2026

West Asia tensions led to flight cancellations between Kerala and Gulf destinations. At Cochin International Airport, 37 incoming services and about 38 departures were cancelled or curtailed on 2 March; three Gulf-bound flights were also cancelled at Thiruvananthapuram that morning.

The disruption affected passengers returning to work after leave. Services to destinations outside the affected region, including Singapore, were reported to be operating.

Key Facts

• Cochin International Airport was developed under India’s first airport public–private partnership model.

Foundation laid for bovine research centre at Kulathupuzha

2 March 2026

The Kerala Livestock Development Board laid the foundation for an Advanced Technologies in Bovine Production and Research Centre at its Kulathupuzha farm. The centre is intended to support modern cattle-breeding and management technologies, including local availability of sex-sorted semen and embryo-related services.

The state government set a target of achieving milk-production self-sufficiency by 2031; this is a future target, not an achieved outcome.

Key Facts

• The centre is intended to make in-vitro embryo production and sex-sorted semen available locally.
• Farmers are to receive sex-sorted semen at reduced prices.

Kerala postpones SSLC and Higher Secondary examinations at Gulf centres

2 March 2026

Kerala postponed SSLC examinations scheduled to begin on 5 March at Gulf centres, along with Higher Secondary examinations set for 5, 6 ...