Cabinet allocates 105 acres for Smart City, Palakkad set for industrial boom

PALAKKAD Wednesday’s Cabinet decision to hand over 105.26 acres for the high-impact Industrial Smart City project in Palakkad as part of the Kochi-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor has boosted the hopes of Palakkad and its economic sector.

The land in Puthussery village in Palakkad taluk will be handed over to the Kerala Industrial Corridor Development Corporation, which is the special purpose vehicle (SPV) for the Industrial Smart City. It will constitute the State government’s share in the Centre-State joint project.

The Smart City is being envisaged in 1,710 acres at a cost of ₹3,806 crore. The Central and State governments will be sharing the expenses. An investment of ₹8,729 crore is expected in the Smart City, which is likely to generate employment for about 50,000 people.

A high-level Central team had visited the site marked for the Industrial Smart City here in the first week of October and held discussions with the State government and officials of the Kerala Industrial Corridor Development Corporation.

Land acquisition

The process of land acquisition is in progress. According to Industries Minister P. Rajeev, it is expected to be completed within a month. The State government will provide the land and the Union government is expected to develop the infrastructure.

Apart from promoting medicinal chemicals and botanical products, the Smart City will focus on non-metallic mineral products, rubber and plastic products, high-tech industry, fabricated metal products and machinery and equipment.

The State Principal Secretary is the project’s chairman and Central joint secretary is the chief executive officer. The Smart City master plan was approved and environmental clearance given. A detailed project report (DPR) was also approved and the tender formalities are expected to begin soon.

The Smart City is being strategically located in Pudussery and Kannambra panchayats, located near the Kochi-Salem National Highway, making it easily accessible from major cities and ports.

In Puthussery central, 672.7 acre (59.16%) land will be used for industrial purpose. As much as 420 acres will be given for pharmaceutical products, 96.5 acres for high tech sector, 42.3 acres for non-metallic mineral products, 54.3 acres for textiles, and 59.6 acres for recycling of products.

As much as 134.4 acres will be kept aside for roads. When 64.76 acres will be used for residential purposes, 27 acres will be used for basic amenities, and 12.48 acres for commercial purposes.

Various sectors

In Puthussery west, 130.19 acres (54.25%) will be used for industrial purposes. Food and beverages sector will get 64.46 acres of land, fabricated metal products sector 52.94 acres, and recycling sector will get 12.79 acres. For roads, 34.39 acres will be kept aside.

In Kannambra, 169.67 acres (54.21%) will be used for industrial purposes. The food and beverages sector will get 107.34 acres, non metallic mineral products sector will get 20.1 acres, rubber and plastic products sector will get 30.67 acres, and recycling sector will get 11.56 acres.

For roads, 40.38 acres will be kept aside, when 4.66 acres will be used for residential purposes, 2.94 acres for commercial purposes, and 4.72 acres for basic amenities.

Published - December 11, 2024 08:06 pm IST