Modelled on Singapore, Rotterdam and Dubai ports; Vizhinjam-Kollam-Punalur Development Triangle Project announced

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Vizhinjam-Kollam-Punalur Development Triangle Project has been announced in the budget as part of transforming Vizhinjam into a world-class export and import port. Vizhinjam will be developed on the model of Singapore, Rotterdam and Dubai ports.

Industrial parks, manufacturing centers, storage facilities, processing and assembly units, and loading and unloading centres will be established in the development triangle area. Areas near the corridor will be developed with private participation. A company will be formed to strengthen land development and investments.

KIIFB will invest Rs 1000 crore for direct land acquisition. A portal called Click will be launched for industries to buy and lease land. National Highway-66, Greenfield Highway, Kollam-Sengottai National Highway, MC Road, Hilly-Coastal Highways, Thiruvananthapuram-Kollam Railway, Kollam-Sengottai Railway will strengthen Vizhinjam.

Vizhinjam has huge commercial development potential. Other states will also be allotted land for official business development centers. One hundred acres of land will be acquired for this. National and state highways will be developed to facilitate container movement from Vizhinjam. The port will be utilized to create a new economic zone. The budget also states that there has been an enthusiastic response from global industry leaders to the plan for maritime and logistics facilities. 20 crores have been allocated for the Convention-cum-Exhibition Center in the Vizhinjam Development Zone.

Self-financing townships

• Outer Ring Area Growth Corridor will be implemented in a two and a half kilometer area on both sides of the 63 km outer ring road of Vizhinjam-Navayikulam. This will become a self-financing township
• Economic nodes will come up in Vizhinjam, Kovalam, Kattakada, Nedumangad, Vempayam, Kilimanoor and Kallambalam. Land will be acquired for development through land pooling
• 181 acres will be acquired in 8 districts through which the Vizhinjam-Kasaragod coastal highway passes. Cycling track, vehicle charging centers and hydrogen refueling stations will happen

Adani's investment to complete the port construction: ₹9500 crore