THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) will usher in a slew of projects worth Rs One lakh crore in the next few years, marking its golden jubilee celebrations. A Life Sciences Park in Thiruvananthapuram, Electronic Hub, Petro-chemical Complex, Oceanarium, Trade and Convention Centre in Kochi, High-speed Rail Corridor, Titanium Sponge Project in Kollam, Gas Distribution Project, Industrial Corridors, Convention Centre in Kozhikode, Industrial Growth Centres and Financial Service Hub at Angamaly are some of the projects proposed to further propel the industrial growth of the state through the KSIDC. The KSIDC is celebrating the golden jubilee by honouring outstanding entrepreneurs, awarding scholarships to 50 girl students from BPL families and launching many other new initiatives. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty will take part in the jubilee celebrations slated on July 30 in Kochi, a press note issued here said. After a humble inception with an authorised capital of Rs 5 crore in 1961, the KSIDC has over the years re-chartered the growth of the state by assisting in over 700 projects with an investment outlay of Rs 26,300 crore and generating employment for nearly five lakh people. “The cumulative investments in the ongoing and proposed projects are expected to be over Rs 1,00,000 crore, which will contribute vastly to the economic growth of the state. The high-speed rail corridor connecting North to South of the state, for example, is expected to provide a major fillip to the development of industry and commerce in the state, besides providing a new dimension to transportation infrastructure for the common man. The project is envisaged to mobilise an investment of Rs 60,000 crore,’’ said T Balakrishnan, Industries Principal Secretary. “KSIDC has initiated steps for setting up an Electronic Hub in Kochi. The agency is also facilitating a proposal for expansion and diversification of BPCL refinery in Kochi and setting up downstream products facilities with an investment of Rs 18,000 crore. The proposed Titanium Complex in Kollam district will consist of a Titanium Sponge Plant of 10,000 tonnes per annum capacity, Titanium Metal and downstream products,’’ KSIDC Managing Director Alkesh Kumar Sharma said. “KSIDC has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL) to facilitate the establishment of a gas pipeline in Kerala. GAIL proposes to lay a gas pipeline from the Kochi LNG Terminal to various bulk consumers of gas in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The project will be implemented in two phases. The first phase is expected to be completed in 2012 and the second phase by 2013. The total project cost is estimated at Rs 3,700 crore,’’ he added. Besides, the agency has also signed a joint venture (JV) agreement with GAIL for promoting a Joint Venture Company (JVC) to develop gas distribution projects in Kerala. As part of the golden jubilee celebrations, the Corporation will also strive to organise investor meets in select cities in India such as Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad etc and participate in investment-related international events abroad in select countries such as the US, Germany, Middle East, Malaysia Singapore etc with a view to attracting investments from Non-Resident Indians.
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