News – centralchambers.in

Central Chambers

News & Blogs

Chamber moots development model linking 20 towns

Tap growing enthusiasm for ‘Nostalgia Economy’, says Fr. Abraham Mulamoottil
OCTOBER 13, 2019

The Thiruvalla-based Central Travancore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CTCCI) has proposed a sustainable model of development for tier-II and tier-III towns in the Central Travncore region spread. The proposal is against the backdrop of the government decision to set up the proposed Sabari International Greenfield Airport at Erumeli in Kottayam district.

Talking to The Hindu, CTCCI president Fr. Abraham Mulamoottil of Syro Malankara Catholic Church, who was instrumental in setting up the State’s first private self-financing professional college in Thiruvalla, explained the proposals for tapping the development potential of the region.

According to him, there is a growing enthusiasm among the non-resident Indians (NRI) and non-resident Keralites (NRK), to invest in the economy of their country of origin.

Fr. Mulamoottil has coined a new phrase for this phenomenon — ‘Nostalgia Economy’ — which has already contributed a lot for transforming Kerala as an investment destination.

Feasibility report

The Kerala government, through a Government Order on September 24, 2017, has asked the infrastructure consultants, Louis Berger Group, to prepare a detailed feasibility report on the proposed ₹2,500-crore Sabari Airport project. Fr. Mulamoottil said the proposed fifth international airport in the State would be of great help in boosting the region’s development.

20 towns

Development of 20 towns, instead of centralising projects in and around the proposed airport area, a decentralised rural development plan should be prepared by setting up different centres for diverse businesses in 20 prominent towns in the region, said Fr. Mulamoottil. Thiruvalla, Changanassery, Kottayam, Pala, Eerattupettah, Wagamon, Kuttikkanam, Mundakkayam, Kanjirappally, Pathanamthitta, Ranni, Konni, Adoor, Pandalam, Chengannur, Kumarakom, Mavelikara, Ambalappuzha, Haripad, and Alappuzha are the 20 towns proposed by CTCCI for development.

Sky Bus project

He said tier-II towns are best suited for the double-decker buses that travel on pillars and the authorities could think of introducing such a project interlinking the 20 towns. Fr. Mulamoottil also proposed a ‘sea-to-sky elevated rapid transport tram system’ linking the high lands with the coastal town of Alappuzha. Fr. Mulamoottil said the CTCCI, in association with the Kerala Start-Up Mission, will be hosting a Sabari Investors Meet-2020 next July, showcasing proposals on various sustainable development models best suited for the region.

"വികസന നീക്കത്തിന് ഒപ്പം നിൽക്കും"

October 11th 2019 കോട്ടയം –
മധ്യതിരുവിതാംകൂറിലെ ആദ്യ വിമാനത്താവളത്തിന്റെ സാധ്യതകൾ പരിശോധിക്കാൻ സെൻട്രൽ ട്രാവൻകൂർ ചേംബർ ഓഫ് കൊമേഴ്സ് ആൻഡ് ഇൻ ഡസ്ട്രിയും. കോട്ടയം, പത്തനം തിട്ട, ഇടുക്കി, ആലപ്പുഴ ജില്ലകളെ കോർത്തിണക്കി വികസനം കൊണ്ടുവരാൻ സെൻട്രൽ ട്രാവൻ കൂർ ചേംബർ ഓഫ് കൊമേഴ്സ് ശ്രമിക്കുമെന്ന് സെക്രട്ടറി ഏബ്രഹാം വർഗീസ് പറഞ്ഞു. “ശബരി രാജ്യാന്തരഗ്രീൻഫീൽഡ് വിമാനത്താവളത്തിനായി പണം മുടക്കാൻ ആളുകൾ തയാറാണ് ന്നും പദ്ധതി സർക്കാരിനൊപ്പം ഏറ്റെടുക്കാൻ തയാറാണെന്നും ഇവർ പറഞ്ഞു. – കോട്ടയം പോർട്ട് കണ്ടെയ്നർ | ടെർമിനൽ – എരുമേലി വിമാന ത്താവളം എന്നിവ ബന്ധപ്പെടു ത്തി വാണിജ്യ രംഗത്ത് വിപ്ലവം സൃഷ്ടിക്കാനാവും. ട്രാം സർവീ സ്, ഇക്കോ ടൂറിസം മേഖലകളു ടെ പുരോഗതിയും ലക്ഷ്യമിടുന്ന തായും ഭാരവാഹികൾ പറഞ്ഞു.

Kerala Government mulls reducing minimum area limit for private industrial parks

Though the government approved the establishment of private industrial parks on the lines of those operating under government agencies, the proposal has remained on paper because of a lack of clarity on the present limit on the maximum extent of land that can be acquired by a private entity
JANUARY 03, 2022

The Kerala government is considering a suggestion from industrialists to reduce the minimum limit for establishing private industrial parks taking into account the problem of land scarcity, especially in the Corporation and municipal areas.

Zoning regulations governing establishment of residential, commercial and industrial enclaves too put a limit on acquiring land in urban areas.

Though the government approved the establishment of private industrial parks on the lines of those operating under government agencies such as the Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Kinfra) and and the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) in the Industrial and Commerce Policy 2017, the proposal has remained on paper because of a lack of clarity on the present limit on the maximum extent of land that can be acquired by a private entity.

The lack of clarity has held up industrial parks projects planned by industrialists in the State, said M. Khalid, president of Kerala State Small Industries Association (KSSIA).

Government order

However, Industries Minister P. Rajeeve said at a meeting with industrialists here on Saturday that the government was actively considering the suggestions to reduce the minimum and maximum land holding limits for floating private parks. Industry department sources said they expected a government order on the issue soon.

The industry is of the opinion that the minimum land holding limit can be 10 acres, while there should be no limit on the maximum area that can be acquired for a private park.

Clarification from the government on the limit on land holding can help entities such as the Pathanamthitta Industrial Promotion Council Pvt. Ltd. to establish what could be the State’s first private industrial park.

Morly Joseph, president of the KSSIA Ernakulam district unit, said those backing the SPV (special purpose vehicle) has identified 25 acres for the project. However, the maximum limit rule has prevented the project from taking off. The SPV was formed in 2021.

Mr. Joseph said establishing industrial parks on a small extent of land would not be feasible considering the cost of infrastructure building. Government entities such as Kinfra has set up industrial parks on a large extent of land, boosting the feasibility of infrastructure building. The Pathanamthitta SPV has been formed under the aegis of the KSSIA Pathanamthitta unit and the Central Travancore Chamber of Commerce.

The industry also feels that the supervision of the proposed private industrial parks should be entrusted with the respective District Industries Centres and not Kinfra.

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) between
International Promoters Association (IPA) and Central Travancore Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
Dubai, 13th November 2021

News & Blogs