Kerala ‘Vision 2031’ to Strengthen Industrial Growth

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Industries Department has released its ‘Vision 2031’, aimed at strengthening the state’s industrial base and improving its position as an investment destination. Industries, Coir and Law Minister P. Rajeeve announced the plan at a department seminar in Thiruvananthapuram.

The document outlines proposals for industrial corridors, innovation hubs, industrial townships, and special investment zones across the state. The government also plans to amend the Single Window Clearance Board Act to simplify industrial approvals.

A key feature of the plan is the establishment of a Kerala University for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship under a public-private partnership model. The university will focus on aligning education with industry requirements through skill training, incubation, and research.

The plan includes the Vizhinjam Outer Area Growth Corridor, which will develop areas around Vizhinjam Port as a port-based industrial zone, with eight proposed clusters and a 1,700-acre Vizhinjam–Kollam–Punalur growth triangle.

In Kochi, a 358-acre Global City Project is planned as part of the Kochi–Bengaluru Industrial Corridor, expected to generate large-scale employment. The state also aims to establish 200 Global Capability Centres (GCCs) and dedicated innovation parks for technology and research activities.

Other proposed projects include an Aero-Defence and Drone Industrial Cluster near ISRO in Thiruvananthapuram, a Biotech and Life Sciences Campus and ESDM and Power Electronics Campus in the Kozhikode–Malappuram region, and a Mega Food Processing Park in Kollam.

Plans are also in place for an Alappuzha Maritime and Marine Park, a Medical Biotech Hub in Thiruvananthapuram, and a Mega Industrial City for small and medium enterprises in Kottayam.

A Robotics Park and Gem and Jewellery Park are proposed in Thrissur, while Wayanad will get a Coffee Park and Palakkad a Graphene Park. The state also plans to operationalize a Green Hydrogen Valley Project centered on Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram by 2031.

To promote small and medium enterprises, the department will implement the ‘Mission One Lakh MSME Scaling Project’ to support 100,000 micro and nano enterprises. Plans also include developing 50 campus industrial parks, 100 private parks, and 25 expatriate industrial parks.

According to the Industries Department, the initiatives under Vision 2031 aim to create a more coordinated, sustainable, and technology-driven industrial ecosystem in Kerala.