T’puram: In a move to accelerate land acquisition for developing a port-led industrial ecosystem around Vizhinjam International Seaport, the state govt is set to revise the existing revenue norms governing negotiated land purchases, with a focus on offering more attractive compensation to landowners and speeding up the acquisition process. The revised framework is expected to facilitate the acquisition of around 500 acres identified in the district for industrial parks, logistics facilities and other port-related infrastructure.The industries department is working with the revenue department to revise the existing provisions, with a govt order expected to pave the way for acquisitions under the new norms. The aim is to encourage more landowners to voluntarily sell their properties by making the terms more favourable and reducing delays associated with negotiations.Additional chief secretary of industries department A P M Mohammed Hanish, told TOI that govt wanted to make the existing provisions more attractive to landowners to expedite the process.“We are moving positively on this new proposal to revise the norms. Once the govt order is issued, we will immediately start acquiring land which has already been identified. We are planning to complete the proceedings as soon as possible,” Hanish said.The proposed changes come as Keralam seeks to establish a network of industries and logistics facilities that can capitalise on Vizhinjam’s growing maritime trade. The planned infrastructure includes container freight stations (CFS), warehouses, logistics parks, processing units and manufacturing facilities that would support cargo movement and related industrial activity.Govt had earlier explored land pooling as a means of promoting planned development along the proposed outer area growth corridor. However, implementing such a model in Keralam presents challenges because of the state’s dense population, fragmented landholdings and the need to coordinate among numerous individual landowners. Govt is now seeking to accelerate the port-linked land acquisition programme through a negotiated purchase mechanism that offers mutually agreed compensation to willing sellers.The proposed revision is significant as the state seeks to create a more attractive framework for assembling large land parcels for port-led industrialisation. While negotiated purchases have been used for infrastructure projects, the govt is now looking to make the process more effective for building a dedicated industrial ecosystem around Vizhinjam.Around 500 acres have been identified in Neyyattinkara and Kattakada taluks, with Kinfra overseeing the identification of suitable parcels. The sites are being assessed for their suitability for industrial parks and logistics-related facilities, considering factors such as road and rail connectivity, proximity to the port, and the requirements of prospective industries.The locations are expected to accommodate different types of port-linked infrastructure depending on their characteristics. Areas with suitable railway connectivity could support freight-oriented facilities, while other parcels could be developed for warehouses, logistics parks and industrial units. Kinfra is expected to play a key role in developing the acquired land into industrial infrastructure.The 2026-27 state budget allocated Rs 1,000 crore to Kinfra for land acquisition linked to port-led industrial development. The corporation has also been identifying land parcels for the initiative, while discussions with landowners and valuation-related work have formed part of the preparatory process.
