Emerging Kerala: Of 32 projects, only 5 attract proposals

When the 32 projects to be implemented in Thiruvananthapuram district were presented before the investors at the Emerging Kerala-2012 summit, only five project proposals were received by the government.

All the five projects were not included in the list presented by the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC).

The biggest project is the Engine Assembly Unit of Volkswagen at an estimated cost of Rs 2,000 crore which will be either at Thiruvananthapuram or Kochi. According to KSIDC officials, the proposal sought around three to five acres of land for setting up the facility. The company has expressed interested in bringing the project to Kerala.

The other two major projects are a Bio Medical Devices Hub at a cost of Rs 400 crore and a Bio Similar Drug Manufacturing unit at a an estimated cost of Rs 130 crore. A five-star hotel project is proposed at a cost of Rs 150 crore. Another proposal is for a Medical College and Super Speciality Hospital at Thrissur, Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode at a total cost of Rs 1,200 crore.

The 32 projects presented before the investors expected an investment of Rs 1,788.4 crore. The project which is likely to materialise in Thiruvananthapuram is the expansion of Technopark, where several new buildings will come up in future.

The projects which are yet to be finalised include the Adventure Sports Zone and Backwater Resort at Kappil; Ropeway connecting Akkulam and Veli; Seaplanes; Plastic waste pyrolysis; Commercial space at Thampanoor; Food park, Vithura; Jackfruit and date processing; Renovation of Kerala State Coconut Development Corporation plant at Attingal; Ship repair yard and Marina, Poovar; New-generation holographic tax stamp production facility; Tool and dye-making; Advanced Mechatronics Training Centre; Commercial production of Spirulina algae; Promoting Chackai-Kovalam bypass as tourism-commercial corridor; Aerospace park, Kadinamkulam; Solid waste treatment plant; Commercial ecosounder; Centre for applied mathematics; Centre for non-destructive testing; Centre for textile technology; and Cooperative institute of management.

Sources said that these projects were showcased before the investors and the scope of setting up of these institutions explained. After a detailed study of the projects, the investors will again come up with a proposal for the projects which they find viable.