The Central Government's decision to set up an Industrial Smart City, which will provide direct employment to more than half a lakh people, at Pudussery near Kanjikode, Palakkad will give a huge boost to the industrial development of Kerala. The smart city, which is being built on 1710 acres at a cost of Rs 3806 crore, will set the stage for an investment of Rs 8,729 crore. The project is being implemented with equal participation of the Centre and Kerala. Mainly private industries will be established here. There will also be government institutions. The biggest feature of a smart industrial city is that it will not be stuck in red tape. Land will be allotted immediately if industrial firms apply. The operating permit will be available as soon as the setup is completed.

It is expected that industrial establishments will start operating in the proposed smart city before 2030. The Economic Affairs Committee of the Union Cabinet has approved 12 Industrial Smart Cities in ten states including Kerala at a cost of Rs 28,602 crore. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has informed that 12 Industrial Cities will connect six major industrial corridors of the country. Palakkad has received this recognition as a continuation of the existing Chennai-Bengaluru industrial corridor. What needs to happen on the part of the state industries department is the planning to make the most of this opportunity.

Palakkad industrial city will focus on medical, chemical, botanical products, hi-tech industry, non-metallic mineral products, fabricated metal products, rubber-plastic products, machinery and equipment. The government should also try to make leading expatriate businessmen a part of this initiative. Reserving a certain percentage of employment in the industrial sector starting here for the expatriates working abroad in a similar field can also be considered. When this project is completed in 10 states within five years, it will become a milestone in India's industrial development.

The National Industrial Corporation expects the work on the Palakkad Industrial City to begin in the current financial year itself. The project got the approval of the central government because the state industries department and the minister P Rajeev, who heads it, have completed the preliminary preparations by acquiring land worth Rs 1790 crore. This is quite an admirable thing. The fact that not only controversies but also such creative things are happening in the state is very hopeful for the industrial growth of the state. This initial diligence should be maintained by the Central and State officials in the Industries Department till the completion of the project. As it is the duty of the state government to give permission for the outline, and prepare the transport facilities including roads, the industries department should give priority to its completion as soon as possible.