In a bid to position Kerala as a manufacturing hub, the state government will promote the Palakkad Smart City project to both local and global investors starting December. The initiative aims to allocate land for large industrial units by early 2027, supporting the state’s industrialization drive through the Kochi-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor.
The Kerala Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (KICDC), responsible for the project, will launch promotional campaigns to attract key investors while advancing infrastructure development. Initially, land will be offered to industries needing over 50 acres, facilitating the establishment of significant manufacturing facilities.
The strategic goal is to align infrastructure development with industrial investments, enabling companies to initiate operations without delay. Construction, commenced in October last year, is on track for completion by April 2029, with regular monitoring through monthly review meetings involving senior officials and project stakeholders.
Kerala has taken the lead among the 12 Industrial Smart Cities under the National Industrial Corridor Programme by completing tendering and commencing infrastructure development. The state’s acquisition of 1,450 acres, costing Rs 1,489 crore, has facilitated the transfer of 889 acres to KICDC, securing Central assistance of Rs 934.46 crore for infrastructure enhancement.
An Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract has been granted for the integrated development of the township, with progress seen in subgrade work on approximately 20 km of internal roads. Technical support is provided by IIT Palakkad and NIT Tiruchirappalli, while KICDC oversees project implementation as a joint venture between KINFRA and NICDIT.
Anticipating investor engagement from December onwards and initial land allocations in early 2027, the government anticipates the Palakkad Smart City to emerge as Kerala’s prime industrial investment destination, fostering manufacturing-driven economic expansion.
