Nod for eleven EDOZs along Akkulam-Kollam canal stretch

Thiruvananthapuram: The state government has given in principle nod to avail KIIFB assistance to develop economic development opportunity zones (EDOZ) along the canal stretch from Akkulam to Kovalam. Land measuring approximately 70.7 acres needs to be acquired for this purpose, and the estimated cost for land acquisition is Rs 61.58 crore.
The Kerala waterways and infrastructure limited (KWIL) has recently submitted a concept note on potential EDOZs between Akkulam and Kollam. As per the concept note, around 12 projects could be implemented there. Hydrogen generation plant with solar installations, boat manufacturing and repair facilities, agri tourism at Edava, fish park at Perumathura, Chilakoor tourism development, cultural tourism, MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) tourism at Kadinamkulam, solid waste management plant, coir industrial cluster development, multimodal transit hub at Paravoor, scrap and shredder units and walkways along the canal have been proposed in the EDOZs identified. Walkways have been proposed from Panayilkadavu to Meerankadavu and Monchukadavu bridge to Kayikkara.
The KWIL has communicated that 8.20 acres of land have been spotted for the construction of walkways, and out of which majority of the land is government unassessed land and only 50% land needs to be acquired for the project. In Chilakkoor, government land is available and acquisition won’t be necessary, the KWIL has communicated.
Akkulam - Kollam canal stretch is one among the two reaches selected in the pilot phase for the preparation of a concept plan as part of the proposed transit oriented development in the canal corridor. The KWIL earlier forwarded a request seeking in principle sanction to prepare concept plans for each stretch of the canal as part of preparing a comprehensive master plan for the west coast canal. The proposal is to identify potential for economic development and create business opportunities in the corridor as part of the development of the canal.
The agency which did the feasibility study for the stretch identified 11 potential EDOZ. This is expected to elevate the state’s status as business friendly; the KWIL has pitched in the concept note. A major share of the parcels of land identified for EDOZ are now under private ownership and sanction was sought to avail KIIFB funds for land acquisition.