The proposed
changes aim to offer more attractive compensation to willing landowners and
expedite the acquisition of around 500 acres identified for industrial parks,
logistics facilities and other port-related infrastructure. The Industries Department is working with
the Revenue Department to revise the existing provisions, with a government
order expected to pave the way for acquisitions under the revised framework.
The government intends to make negotiated purchases more attractive to
landowners, encourage voluntary sales and minimise delays in the acquisition
process. A P M Mohammed Hanish,
Additional Chief Secretary of the Industries Department, said that the
government was working towards making the existing provisions more favourable
to landowners to speed up the process. He said the government would begin
acquiring the identified land as soon as the order was issued, with the aim of
completing the proceedings at the earliest.
The initiative comes as Kerala seeks to leverage Vizhinjam’s expanding
maritime trade to establish a network of industries and logistics facilities
supporting cargo movement and related economic activity. The proposed
infrastructure includes container freight stations (CFS), warehouses, logistics
parks, processing units and manufacturing facilities. Approximately 500 acres have been
identified in Neyyattinkara and Kattakada taluks for the development
initiative, with the Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation
(Kinfra) overseeing the identification of suitable land parcels. The sites are
being assessed based on factors such as road and rail connectivity, proximity
to Vizhinjam port and the requirements of prospective industries. The land parcels could accommodate
different categories of port-linked infrastructure depending on their location
and connectivity. Areas with suitable railway access could support
freight-oriented facilities, while other sites could be developed into
warehouses, logistics parks and industrial units. Kinfra is expected to play a
key role in developing the acquired land into industrial infrastructure. The government had earlier explored land
pooling to promote planned development along the proposed outer area growth
corridor. However, implementing the model in Kerala has proved challenging
because of high population density, fragmented landholdings and the need to
coordinate with numerous individual landowners. The government is now seeking to accelerate
the programme through negotiated purchases, under which land is acquired from
willing sellers at mutually agreed compensation. The proposed revision is
intended to make this mechanism more effective for assembling large land
parcels required for port-led industrialisation. The move is significant as Kerala seeks to
create a dedicated industrial and logistics ecosystem around Vizhinjam,
enabling manufacturers, exporters and logistics operators to benefit from the
port’s maritime connectivity. The
2026–27 state budget allocated ₹1,000 crore to Kinfra for land acquisition linked
to port-led industrial development. The corporation has been identifying
suitable land parcels, while discussions with landowners and valuation-related
work have formed part of the preparatory process. The proposed revision of revenue norms is
expected to provide fresh momentum to the initiative.
Once the government
order is issued, the state intends to proceed with acquiring the identified
land and move towards establishing the industrial and logistics infrastructure
needed to strengthen Vizhinjam’s role as a major maritime gateway and a
catalyst for regional economic growth.