Kannur (Kerala): Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday inaugurated the Koduvally Railway Flyover in Kannur, marking a major step forward in the state’s efforts to enhance road infrastructure. Following the inauguration, he unveiled a major funding initiative, announcing that ₹2,028 crore has been earmarked for the construction of 60 new railway flyovers across Kerala.

“A total of Rs 2,028 crore has been allocated for the construction of 60 railway flyovers in the state as part of realising the goal of a seamless road network. Railway flyovers are indispensable to increase the speed of road traffic in Kerala,” said Vijayan.

Stressing Kerala’s consistent record in completing development projects efficiently, the Chief Minister noted, “Kerala has an administrative system that completes development works in a timely manner. People's trust in it is also increasing. The government not only makes promises but also fulfils them without delay.”

Separately, on Saturday, the Chief Minister addressed the state-level golden jubilee celebrations of the Kerala Scheduled Tribes Development Department, which coincided with the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. During the event, Vijayan emphasised the responsible application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to safeguard the rights of indigenous communities.

“Today, we are celebrating the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. Alongside, we are also inaugurating the state-level celebrations of the golden jubilee of the Kerala Scheduled Tribes Development Department. Various development projects for the Scheduled Tribes are also being launched here today. This year's theme, 'Artificial Intelligence and the Protection of Indigenous Peoples' Rights,' is especially relevant in today's era of advanced technology," he said.

He further pointed out both the potential and the risks of emerging technologies. He said, “We are in the age of artificial intelligence and machine learning. While these technologies bring many benefits to humanity, their irresponsible use can also cause serious harm. The United Nations itself has pointed out that AI-generated content is sometimes used to spread misinformation about indigenous communities, and even to threaten their land and resources. However, we must also note that AI can be used responsibly for the welfare of the world.”

Highlighting the global scale of indigenous issues, the Chief Minister added, “Globally, there are about 480 million indigenous people across 90 countries, which is less than six per cent of the world's population. Yet, indigenous people constitute around 15 percent of the world's poorest. They speak more than 7,000 languages and uphold over 5,000 distinct cultures. In this context, it is crucial that we recognise the unique identity of indigenous peoples and design programmes that truly address their needs. Today, as we mark the 50th year since the creation of a dedicated department for the welfare and development of Scheduled Tribes, we reaffirm our commitment to their rights, dignity, and progress.”
ANI