T’puram: With warehouse rentals in Thiruvananthapuram remaining high amid limited storage facilities linked to Vizhinjam seaport, the state govt has identified around 930 acres for logistics infrastructure, of which acquisition proceedings for 230 acres are under way. However, the govt has no proposal to fix uniform rental rates for private warehouses, said chief minister V D Satheesan.The CM’s reply came to an unstarred question raised by BJP MLAs V Muraleedharan, Rajeev Chandrasekhar and B B Gopakumar which highlights the infrastructure gaps that the govt is seeking to address as Vizhinjam develops as a major maritime gateway. The govt acknowledged that warehouse facilities in the areas surrounding the port remain limited and that high land prices and inadequate storage infrastructure are among the main reasons for the higher rentals in Thiruvananthapuram district compared with other places.Kerala State Industrial Enterprises has already started a container freight station (CFS) in Vizhinjam. As part of the state’s 100-day action programme, the agency has also initiated a larger project covering warehousing facilities and a logistics park to support services linked to the CFS.The govt is also pursuing a plan under Mission Samudra to address the shortage of CFSs, empty container yards and warehouses through private participation. Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL) has identified approximately 930 acres for logistics requirements. Acquisition proceedings for 230 acres are progressing, while VISL is holding discussions with logistics operators, CFS operators, warehouse investors and shipping lines.The CM said that to address the high cost of land, govt is taking steps to identify and acquire land specifically for logistics infrastructure. It is also pursuing a subsidy mechanism to reduce the additional costs arising from high land prices, enabling private developers to lease land at more affordable rates and encouraging investment in local logistics infrastructure.However, govt has ruled out fixing a standard rental rate for private warehouses. According to the CM, rentals in the private sector are determined through agreements between warehouse owners and users, based on prevailing market conditions. Govt has no proposal under consideration to introduce a uniform rate to regulate such rentals. Govt is also taking steps to invite expressions of interest from prospective investors and developers to establish free trade warehousing zones, container freight stations and empty container yards, he said.
