With just two weeks to go before the Kerala government’s scheduled foundation stone laying on January 24 for the next phases of development at Vizhinjam International Seaport, uncertainty continues to hang over the acquisition of land required for port-led industrialisation around the project.
Despite repeated assurances and multiple high-level meetings, not a single acre has been formally acquired from the roughly 2,000–2,300 acres earmarked for industrial development and supporting infrastructure. Sources close to the project said key files remain “travelling” between departments at the Secretariat, with no final government orders issued to enable land takeover.
A high-level meeting chaired earlier by K M Abraham, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, had decided to proceed with acquisition of around 2,300 acres to create a port-centric industrial ecosystem. However, in the absence of formal instructions to agencies such as Kinfra and Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL), the acquisition process remains stalled. Officials said that only after departmental clearances are obtained will the revenue wing of district administrations begin taking over land.
Principal Secretary (Industries) APM Mohammed Hanish told TOI that the acquisition of 150 acres near Kuttichal in Kattakada under Kinfra is nearing completion. He reiterated that the government’s priority is to first take over available government land before moving on to private holdings. According to him, this includes land owned by the Kerala Agricultural University at Balaramapuram and government land at Venganoor.
In an effort to accelerate industrialisation, the state government has approved the appointment of an external consultant to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for port-led industrial development. The mandate includes identifying suitable land parcels, devising a cluster-based development strategy, and conducting feasibility and market studies. More than 700 acres in Thiruvananthapuram district have reportedly been identified for consideration, pending further state action.
The government has also extended the mandate of the project implementation committee to push land acquisition for port-linked industries. VISL’s board has earlier resolved to focus on developing a port-centric industrial ecosystem, estimating that at least 600 acres would be required initially to generate gateway traffic and attract export-oriented investors.
Industry watchers, however, warn that the slow pace of land acquisition could erode Vizhinjam’s competitive edge. Neighbouring Tamil Nadu has already approved over 2,200 acres near Tirunelveli for industrial parks aimed at leveraging Vizhinjam’s transshipment potential, a move seen as placing Kerala at a strategic disadvantage unless decisive action is taken soon.
