State to hand over 35 acres in Kasaragod to MORTH

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has agreed to give 35 acres in Kasaragod to the ministry of road transport and highways (MORTH) for construction of a multimodal logistics park there. The park has been conceived as a freight handling facility with mechanized warehouses, specialized storage solutions, mechanized material handling and cargo terminals.

Kochi was the initial choice of MORTH, when the project was conceived two years ago. Kochi was selected along with 35 other cities based on the highest freight movement in the country. PWD sources said the Kochi project has not been dropped but Kasaragod was chosen as per the request of the ministry and due to availability of land.

The MORTH has forwarded the state government's proposal to construct the logistics park to the regional office of NHAI. A feasibility study into the possibility of setting up the project in Kasaragod will be conducted, said NHAI RO Ashish Dwivedi.

Proximity to Mangaluru port and airport and upcoming Kannur airport, the proposed Kovalam-Kasaragod inland waterway project and development of the national highway are expected to make Kasaragod a favourable location for the project.

As per policy, at least 100 acres is required for construction of logistics park. However, PWD officials said that relaxation has been given to states like Kerala due to non-availability of land. It is learnt that MORTH is demanding around 50 acres in Kochi for construction of logistics park.

Also, handing over of land in Kasaragod free of cost is expected to be beneficial for the NH widening project in the district. MORTH has been raising questions over the high price of land for the NH project from Thalappady to Chengala. MORTH had earlier asked state government to bear half the cost of land acquisition, which the latter declined. With the handing over of the 35 acres, the state government is hoping to resolve this issue.