If Kerala wants a nuclear power plant in Kasaragod, then AIIMS and High-Speed Rail should also come to Kasaragod.
If the Kerala government is serious about establishing a nuclear power plant in Kasaragod, then the district deserves significant long-term public investment in return.
At the very least, Kasaragod should get:
An AIIMS-level hospital to strengthen healthcare in the region .
Inclusion in any future High-Speed Rail (HSR) project.
Better investment in transport and public infrastructure.
For decades, many people in Kasaragod have felt that the district has been neglected compared to the rest of Kerala. Whether it’s infrastructure, healthcare, transport, or government attention, there is a widespread perception that Kasaragod is often treated as an afterthought.
Take KSRTC as an example. Many residents feel that:
Major towns in Kasaragod have fewer KSRTC services than expected for a district headquarters and growing urban areas.
The district often receives older buses after they’ve already been used in other districts, instead of getting a fair share of new fleet additions.
There is also a common perception among residents that government staffing in Kasaragod doesn’t receive the same priority as other districts, contributing to the feeling that the district is overlooked.
If Kasaragod is expected to host a project as significant as a nuclear power plant, then the people living there should also see equally significant investments in healthcare, transport, education, and overall development.
Development shouldn’t be one-sided. If Kasaragod contributes to Kerala’s future, Kerala should also invest in Kasaragod’s future.