Kerala to acquire 230 acres for Vizhinjam port expansion

The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday. According to an official statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office, the land acquisition will cost approximately Rs 810 crore

Metro India News | THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

The Kerala government has decided to acquire around 230 acres of land for development activities linked to the Vizhinjam International Seaport project, in a move aimed at boosting port-led industrialisation in the region.

The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday. According to an official statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office, the land acquisition will cost approximately Rs 810 crore and will cover areas in Kottukal, Maranallur and Amaravila near Thiruvananthapuram.

The land will be acquired under the provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, which ensures compensation and rehabilitation for affected landowners.

Officials said that Rs 283.68 crore required for the acquisition will be drawn from the Plan Scheme Treasury Saving Bank (PSTSB) account of Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd, the state-owned company overseeing the port project. The remaining funds will be sourced from an already approved loan from National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).

The cabinet also authorised Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd to undertake all activities related to port-led industrial development on the land once it is acquired. Authorities believe the additional land will help create supporting infrastructure, logistics facilities and industrial clusters connected to the deep-water seaport project.

The Vizhinjam International Seaport is considered one of India’s most significant upcoming maritime infrastructure projects and is expected to strengthen cargo handling capacity and international trade connectivity along the southern coast.

Meanwhile, the cabinet also approved the formulation of a new policy aimed at the safety and rehabilitation of street children in the state. The policy will be framed in line with directions issued by the Supreme Court of India in 2022 regarding protection measures for children living on the streets.

The proposed framework will focus on ensuring identity documentation, healthcare access and welfare support for vulnerable children across the state.