"Vizhinjam Port progress stalls as land acquisition issues remain unresolved."

Uncertainty continues to surround the acquisition of land required for port-led industrialisation around the strategically important Vizhinjam International Seaport, even as the state government prepares to lay the foundation stone for the next phase of port development on January 24.

Despite repeated assurances and multiple high-level meetings, not a single acre of the estimated 2,000–2,300 acres earmarked for industrial development and supporting infrastructure has been formally acquired so far, sources close to the project said.

Officials said files related to land acquisition are still pending across various departments at the Secretariat, with no final government orders issued to agencies such as Kinfra, Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL) and other stakeholders. A high-level meeting chaired earlier by K M Abraham, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, had decided to proceed with the acquisition of around 2,300 acres to support a port-centric industrial ecosystem, but the lack of formal approvals has stalled progress.

According to sources, once departmental clearances are obtained, the government will issue formal instructions, following which the revenue wing of district administrations will begin the land takeover process.

Meanwhile, Principal Secretary (Industries) A P M Mohammed Hanish said the acquisition of 150 acres near Kuttichal in Kattakada under Kinfra is nearing completion. He said the government’s priority is to acquire available government land before initiating private land acquisition.

“Kinfra will acquire the land at Kattakada soon. It is currently under the consideration of the district administration. Government lands will be taken over first, including land owned by the Kerala Agricultural University at Balaramapuram and lands at Venganoor,” Hanish said.

The state government has taken some steps to accelerate industrialisation, including approving the appointment of an external consultant to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for port-led development. The roadmap will cover identification of land parcels, cluster development strategies, and feasibility and market studies. More than 700 acres in Thiruvananthapuram district have reportedly been identified for consideration, pending further state action.

In addition, the government has extended the mandate of the project implementation committee to push land acquisition for port-linked industries. VISL’s board had earlier resolved to focus on creating a port-centric industrial ecosystem, requiring at least 600 acres to attract gateway traffic and export-oriented investments.

However, industry watchers and business bodies have cautioned that delays could erode Kerala’s competitive advantage. Neighbouring Tamil Nadu has already approved over 2,200 acres near Tirunelveli for industrial parks aimed at leveraging Vizhinjam’s transhipment potential, potentially placing Kerala at a disadvantage.