Thiruvananthapuram: Even as model code of conduct remains in force following assembly polls, state govt has moved swiftly to expedite land acquisition proceedings for a proposed defence industrial park at Kuttichal near Kattakada.The proposed Integrated Defence Industrial Park (IDIP), to be developed under Kerala Space Park initiative, is planned across nearly 100 acres and is expected to attract an investment of around Rs 1,000 crore. The project is envisaged as a major hub for manufacturing defence-related products, components and advanced tools, aligning with Centre’s push for indigenous defence production.Land acquisition process is being prioritised so that preliminary works can begin soon after formal approvals, sources said. The project is closely linked to the proposed expansion of BrahMos Aerospace in Kattakada region, thus significantly boosting defence manufacturing capabilities in Kerala.State govt recently approved the allotment of around 180 acres at Nettukaltheri for a new BrahMos missile production facility, marking a major step in positioning Thiruvananthapuram as a key defence manufacturing hub. The new unit will enable large-scale production of advanced missile systems and related strategic hardware, complementing the proposed defence park at Kuttichal.Officials associated with the project said the two initiatives are part of a broader ecosystem being developed in the district. “The defence industrial park is designed to attract ancillary units, startups and global players in the aerospace and defence supply chain. After BrahMos expansion gets final clearance, it will act as an anchor, accelerating investments and job creation in the region,” said a senior official involved in the planning.The proposed park is one of the many projects under Space Park initiative aimed at transforming the capital into a major aerospace and defence cluster. With the presence of premier institutions such as Isro and existing defence establishments, authorities believe the region offers strong potential for high-value manufacturing and research.The proposed park could generate thousands of skilled jobs and create a robust ecosystem for precision engineering, electronics and defence technology, said industry experts.
