Project to be completed in 2010

Eight new public sector undertakings will be started this year with an investment of Rs.125 crore. Steps are being taken to commission these projects by December 31, 2010.

• The Komalapuram Mills, which was closed down for so many years, has been taken over by the Government from the Private Sector. The Government has proposed to modernize the mill as a Hi-Tech Spinning and Weaving mill by investing an amount of Rs.36 crores. The Detailed Project Report is being prepared and it is expected that this Greenfield project can start commercial production by the end of this year.
• It is proposed to start a Hi-Tech Weaving Factory at Kannur and a new Textile Mill at Kasaragod by investing Rs.20 crores and Rs.16 crores respectively. The land for starting these mills has been identified and the projects are being appraised.
• A new unit of the Traco Cable Company to manufacture house wiring cable will be started at Thalassery with an investment of Rs.12 crores
• Considering the great demand in the specialized engineering works, two tool rooms will be set up this year by SIDCO at Kozhikode and by Keltron at Kuttipuram at an investment of Rs.12 crores each.
• The Steel Industries and Forging Ltd. (SIFL) will be starting a new machining shop in the premises of Metal Industries Ltd. at Shornur at a cost of Rs. 12 crores.
• United Electricals will be starting a LCD meter factory at Kuzhalmantham near Palakkad with an investment of Rs.5 crores.

Major Projects with short description

KINFRA will invest Rs.25 crores for regional parks suited for the garment industry. Government will provide Rs.5 crores as subsidy @ Rs.5000/- per person towards training expenses of labourers recruited to these new parks.

Rs.275 crores will be invested for the expansion of existing PSUs:

• Modernization of KMML (100 crores)
  
• Steel casting line in Autokast (10 crores)
  
• Total renovation and new production line of KSDP (34 crores)
  
• New Production Unit at Kerala Soaps and Oils (5 crores)
  
• Doubling the capacity of Thiruvananthapuram Spinning Mills (5 crores)
  
• Modernisation of Travancore Titanium Products (25 crores)
  
• Modernisation of Travancore Cochin Chemicals (51 crores)
  
• Doubling the capacity of Malabar Spinning and Weaving Mills (15 crores)
  
• Modernisation of KEL (30 crores)

KSIDC has been provided Rs.55 crores for mega projects to be undertaken, including Life Science Park-Kazhakuttam, Titanium Complex-Kollam, Thermal Plant-Cheemeni, Footware Park-Kinaloor, City Gas Distribution Project and International Expo Centre in FACT campus.

New Initiatives and Investment plans

The thrust of Government of Kerala’s Industrial and Commercial Policy of 2007 is achieve high and sustainable economic growth through rapid industrialisation and attain a big leap in commercial activities to create large scale employment opportunities for the people of Kerala. The policy also aims at converting Kerala into an investment friendly destination. Some of the new investment initiatives and projects undertaken by the Industries Ministry find a mention here.

• The Government has begun initiatives to set up a Petrochemical complex in Kasargode. Some leading companies have expressed interest in this project.
• The Kannur Power Project is in the pipeline. The government is in talks with two companies regarding implementation of this project.
• Plans to start a new garment unit at the KSIDC Industrial Development Centre which has been lying unutilised for the last ten years
• Notice has been issued for acquiring land for the Mega Food Park at Wayanad being built with Central Government assistance.
• Steps have been taken to allot the remaining land at the KINFRA Industrial Park in Wayanad. The Government will also initiate steps to improve the working of the Powerloom and Handloom Complex for Adivasi women.
• KINFRA has decided to set up Knowledge Parks in Kozhikode and Thrissur Districts. Steps have been initiated to acquire land for these projects. Plans are also afoot to set up an International Convention Centre at Kozhikode with private participation.
• KSIDC’s Growth Centre at Malapurram to be developed and new units to be started soon. The Government is trying to get more land for the KINFRA Industrial Park.
• The work on the proposed Integrated Textile Park at Kanjikode in Palakkad District would commence soon with the appointment of the consultant. The project report prepared by IL&FS has been submitted to Government of India.
• KINFRA Industrial Park in Walayar to have four new business establishments soon.
• KINFRA’s land at Puzhakkelpaddam in Thrissur district, which was lying vacant for the last ten years, is to be developed for international business.
• Efforts are on to get the land of Government of India Press at Koratty to develop the KINFRA Park there.
• Land allotment of KINFRA Park at Kalamassery has concluded. Offers have been received for starting new ventures at its 94 acre land in Kakkanad.
• Electronic Manufacturing Hubs to be set up in Ernakulam and Trivandrum to capitalise the potential in electronic industry. KSIDC has identified land for the proposed projects.
• KSIDC to start an Industrial Business Park in Alapuzha District. Plans are also going on to commence new business at the KSIDC growth Centre in Chertala.
• KINFRA will initiate steps to acquire land for the Industrial park at Kidangoor in Kottayam District. The Inland Port at Kottayam is also being developed
• Spices Board and KINFRA have signed a MoU to set up a Spices Park at Idukky. Land will be acquired in and around Todupuzha for this project.
• Rubber Board and KINFRA will develop a Rubber Park at Ranni in Pattanamthitta District. Land acquisition for this park will start soon. A Food Park will also be set up in Adoor.
• A Mega Industrial Park will be set up in Kollam.
• IL&FS is preparing the project report for the implementation of a Rs.250 crore Central Government Project Growth Pole in Kollam District.
• In Thiruvananthapuram District, land is being identified for the Hi Tech Corridor Project. KINFRA will be setting up an Industrial Park in the district.