Port City modelled after Singapore and Dubai; rapid industrial development and employment opportunities utilising Vizhinjam port

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government has started steps to utilise the Vizhinjam port to enable rapid industrial development and create employment opportunities. This is modelled after Port City, developed in Dubai and Singapore. Permission has been given to appoint a consultancy to prepare a master plan. Rs 1.83 crore has been sanctioned for the initial cost.

Vizhinjam, which is becoming the main gateway for goods transport in the country, has the potential for industrial growth. However, export, import and storage facilities should be set up quickly. Infrastructure should also be provided for entrepreneurs. The master plan for this will be prepared soon. Land acquisition is the next step.

500 mother ships have already arrived in Vizhinjam. Only transshipment, where containers are unloaded and transported on small ships, is currently taking place in Vizhinjam. This will not lead to industrial development and employment opportunities. The state will only get a tax share.

Although there is interest in large-scale investment from abroad, the problem is the lack of land. It is only beneficial if raw materials can be brought from abroad and then produced, assembled and exported. There is a lot of potential for the export of processed fish, vegetables, fruits, honey, flowers, agricultural products, spices, and Kudumbashree products.

The consultancy will prepare a plan to set up logistics parks, processing hubs, transport corridors, warehouses, godowns, large storage, etc. Container freight stations, repairing yards, fuel filling facilities, and banking services will also come.

Government to acquire land

A logistics park and warehouse require at least five acres of land. Industrial parks require 50-100 acres. The price of land is up to Rs. 15 lakh per cent when entrepreneurs apply directly. The government will acquire the land and give it on lease. KINFRA had identified 600 acres of land. The Thiruvananthapuram Chamber of Commerce and Industries has identified 650 acres of land in various places for entrepreneurs.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu is acquiring a large amount of land for industrial parks, seeing the potential of Vizhinjam. It has acquired 2260 acres in Nanguneri and 1060 acres in Moolakaraipatti, 150 km from the port, and has started construction of a warehouse.

Export and import business

1. Logistics facilities will be provided by connecting Vallarpadam and small ports with Vizhinjam. Export and import business will be strengthened in this way
2. Green ammonia-green hydrogen production, marine product export, edible oil processing, wood products, chemical-pharmaceutical-electronics enterprises have potential
3. Townships in Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts. Industrial-commercial-tourism centers. Multipurpose berths for unloading rice, coal, machine parts. Tank farms for unloading fuel/LNG

Expected investment: 3 lakh crore

Direct employment: 10,000

Industrial area: 1456 sq. km