KANJIKODE: Nine mega industrial clusters are coming up in the Kanjikode industrial area as part of the Kochi-Bangalore Industrial Corridor. 1,377 acres of land has been set aside for this purpose. 33 percent of this will be converted into a green belt. 1617.89 crores is expected to be spent on infrastructure development on the land acquired for the project. 218 crore as capital expenditure for project maintenance and 13 crore as annual environmental maintenance expenditure is expected.

Employment opportunities will be created for 43,000 people directly and 45,000 people indirectly. 10,000 crore investment is expected in these clusters. Land acquisition is in the final stage. If this is completed, the industrial corridor will become a reality within five years.

Mega clusters with infrastructure

Mega clusters include food, light engineering, gems, plastics, e-waste, solid waste recycling, oil and natural gas industries, machinery and equipment manufacturing, apparel and pharmaceutical manufacturing units, electronics, IT, logistics and automotive. Along with basic facilities, an 80-bed hospital, anganwadi, schools, bank branches, post office, fire station, rainwater tanks etc. will be provided here.

Report to be provided to the Centre immediately

Public evidence gathering and data collection as part of getting approval for the corridor has been completed. Constructions that are harmful to the environment and industrial units belonging to the red category are not included in the integrated cluster scheme. After its thorough inspection, the Environment Pollution Control Board will prepare a report and submit it to the Centre.