Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Assures Kerala on Construction Material Restrictions

Thiruvananthapuram, August 21: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay has assured his Kerala counterpart, V.D. Satheesan, that his government will consider lifting restrictions on the movement of construction materials to Kerala. This includes materials such as limestone. This information was provided by the Kerala Chief Minister’s office on Friday.

The meeting between the two chief ministers took place during the South Zonal Council meeting in Mahabalipuram, where Kerala’s Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty was also present.

Recently, the Tamil Nadu government imposed a ban on the movement of construction materials, particularly metals, to other states. This decision raised concerns in Kerala.

Chief Minister Satheesan requested special exemptions for Kerala, emphasizing that the state’s geographical and economic conditions are unique. He pointed out that Kerala heavily relies on Tamil Nadu for several essential construction materials. A halt in supply would directly impact construction costs and material availability.

Satheesan had previously written to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, urging a reconsideration of the restrictions. During their meeting, he reiterated his request for Kerala to be exempt from these bans.

According to the Kerala Chief Minister’s office, both states have agreed to continue discussions on this issue and aim to reach a timely resolution. With the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s assurance, there is hope that the restrictions on materials heading to Kerala will not be enforced.

This issue is crucial for Kerala, as Tamil Nadu is the largest source of construction materials for the state. Prolonged restrictions could lead to increased material prices and additional pressure on the construction sector, which is already grappling with high input costs.

The Kerala government will continue to raise this matter with Tamil Nadu officials. The immediate priority for Kerala is to secure formal exemptions from the restrictions, ensuring the uninterrupted flow of construction materials from Tamil Nadu.