THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A large-scale industrial and economic corridor spanning 10,000 acres is set to transform Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts, with a focus on boosting development centered around the Vizhinjam Port. The ambitious Vizhinjam Economic Growth Triangle (VEGT), connecting Kollam, Punalur and Nedumangad with Vizhinjam as the hub, will be launched next year.

Once completed in three years, the project is expected to attract investments worth ₹3 lakh crore and create 15 lakh job opportunities. For the initial phase, ₹1,000 crore has been allocated from KIIFB.

The initiative is designed to enhance infrastructure, cargo transportation, raw material availability and employment generation. It has been prepared by an expert committee under the state finance department and will be unveiled at the Vizhinjam Conclave, scheduled for January at the Hyatt Regency, Thiruvananthapuram. The conclave will witness the participation of 300 investors, including international stakeholders. The project is also expected to feature prominently in the upcoming state budget.

Corridors and connectivity

The project will establish three key corridors supported by modern road, rail and other infrastructure networks:

1. Vizhinjam-Kollam Corridor via National Highway (NH 66).

2. Kollam-Shenkotta Corridor, leveraging NH 744, the new Greenfield Highway and the Kollam-Shenkotta railway line.

3. Punalur-Nedumangad-Vizhinjam Corridor via a dedicated road network.

Development nodes and centers

Three major nodes

- Vizhinjam Node

- Kollam Urban Node

- Punalur Node

Seven sub-development centers

- Pallipuram-Attingal-Varkala

- Parippally-Kallambalam

- Neendakara-Kollam

- Kollam-Kundara

- Kundara-Kottarakkara

- Anchal-Ayur

- Nedumangad-Palode

The project encompasses seven specialized zones to boost targeted industries:

1. Seafood Processing: Neendakara and Kollam.

2. IT Hub: Attingal-Kazhakoottam.

3. Logistics: Vizhinjam.

4. Green Energy: Vizhinjam (featuring a hydrogen power plant by Adani).

5. Assembling Units: Kollam.

6. Medical Tourism: Ayurveda-based facilities in Punalur.

7. Agro-Industry: Nedumangad.

To minimize displacement and ensure sustainable development, the project will employ:

- Land pooling.

- Public-private partnerships.

- Direct negotiated purchases and land exchanges.

The Vizhinjam Economic Growth Triangle could potentially extend corridors to:

- Kollam-Kochi via Alappuzha.

- Punalur-Kottayam via Pathanamthitta.