The Kerala government is launching a network of logistics parks to support businesses connected to the soon-to-open Vizhinjam International Transshipment Port. Covering 600 acres around Vizhinjam, Venganoor, and Balaramapuram, these parks aim to improve goods transport in the region. The project is part of Kerala's new logistics park policy, which includes acquiring 600 hectares of land through land pooling, offering benefits to landowners. The state is also conducting awareness campaigns to gain local support by highlighting job creation and regional development. Improved road and rail connections, including a coastal highway, will further boost the region's economic growth is the prediction.
The Kerala government is taking strong steps to support businesses that will operate at the soon-to-open Vizhinjam International Transshipment Port. One of the key initiatives is the launch of a network of logistics parks located near the port. These logistics parks will span about 600 acres in Vizhinjam and nearby areas, including Venganoor and Balaramapuram. This development aligns with the state government's new logistics park policy, which aims to acquire approximately 600 hectares of land using a land pooling approach.
The land pooling system is designed to reduce opposition from landowners. It offers them benefits in return for their cooperation in land acquisition. The government is also conducting local awareness campaigns to inform residents about the positive outcomes expected from the project. These benefits include job creation and overall development in the region, as the port and logistics parks become operational. The government hopes that these efforts will help ease concerns and gain community support, especially regarding the sensitive issue of land acquisition.
While the government works on establishing specific rules for the logistics parks, including land acquisition protocols, this process will take some time. In the meantime, the focus is on educating landowners about the potential advantages of the project. One suggested condition is that at least 70% of landowners in a given area must agree to the acquisition before any land is taken, ensuring broad community support and reducing opposition.
Once the logistics parks are operational, they will significantly benefit private businesses by improving the transportation of goods to and from Vizhinjam port. This development will be enhanced by planned road and rail connections, including a new rail link between the port and Balaramapuram railway station. Additionally, the government has announced the construction of a 629-kilometre coastal highway stretching from Vizhinjam to Kasaragod, connecting important ports like Kollam and Vallarpadam.
The section of the highway from Vizhinjam to Kazhakootam will be developed as a logistics corridor, providing essential infrastructure for the region's economic growth. Currently, Vizhinjam port serves mainly as a transshipment hub, where large "mother ships" transfer containers to smaller vessels for delivery to other Indian ports.