Page 44 - Construction_Opportunities_September_2025

TICKER TAPE
INFRASTRUCTURE are creating a future-ready logistics hub that will drive value for Kerala government has granted administrative approval of `17.31
KERALA APPROVES `17.3 CRORE ROADWORK FOR
SEAPORT–AIRPORT CORRIDOR PHASE II.
businesses and contribute meaningfully to India’s evolving supply
chain ecosystem.”
crore for the construction of a road from HMT to NAD as part of the
The Panapakkam Logistics Park has been designed to global
specifications as a ready-to-go-live facility, offering scalability
second phase of the Seaport-Airport Corridor project.
In a review meeting held recently and chaired by Industries Minister
for both raw material storage and finished goods distribution. It
features 32 docks with 16 dock levellers, a centre height supporting
P Rajeeve, officials decided to proceed with the tender process for
G+8 racking for maximum storage efficiency, and a 5,000 sq. ft.
The HMT section will feature a 45-meter-wide road extending 600
mezzanine floor with dedicated client office space. capacity of
nearly 60,000 tonnes per month. The Panapakkam park is also the 2-kilometer stretch as soon as technical approval is received.
meters. The land value has been deposited in the bank following
expected to create employment opportunities, with around 400 the Supreme Court’s directive, while the Revenue Department is
contractual workers engaged monthly, nearly 95% of whom will finalizing land acquisition formalities. Surveying and marking of the
be blue-collar employees from the region. construction site on HMT’s 215-hectare land are expected to be
Sustainability and safety are integral to the park’s design. The facility completed shortly.
incorporates a solar-ready rooftop (10 KW/100K sq. ft.), LED lighting, The government is also accelerating efforts for the NAD section, for
solar-powered streetlights, rainwater harvesting, STP water recycling, which `32.26 crore had been allocated earlier. Since the project
and stormwater drains designed using 80 years of rainfall data. A sketch for this section was prepared in advance, further procedures
secure perimeter wall, dock levellers, fire hydrants, and sprinkler are expected to proceed without delay. Additionally, the tender for
systems further strengthen operational safety and efficiency. the widened NAD-Thorappu Road will be issued soon.
With this launch, Allcargo Supply Chain further strengthens its For the NAD-Mahilalayam section, spanning 6.5 kilometers,
southern pivot, complementing existing facilities in Bengaluru the tender is scheduled for December. Land acquisition in
and the upcoming Hyderabad facility, while also expanding its this stretch is nearing completion, with the Kerala Infrastructure
nationwide footprint of modern, automated, and sustainable Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) having allocated `569.34 crore for
logistics parks in Farukhnagar (Gurugram), Nagpur, Guwahati, acquiring land. Compensation has been awarded for 90% of
Bhiwandi (Mumbai), Indore, and Vijayawada. the 529 landholdings, with the process expected to conclude by
December, after which tendering will begin.
KOCHI METRO PHASE II PINK LINE PROPOSED TO EXTEND The meeting was attended by District Collector G Priyanka and
TO INFOPARK PHASE III CAMPUS. officials from the Revenue Department, KIIFB, and the Roads and
Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) is exploring the possibility of Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala (RBDCK).
extending its Phase II Pink Line to the Kizhakkambalam region, Water Metro Service to Launch Soon in Patna
where Infopark plans to establish its Phase III campus. Officials from Patna is set to introduce a modern water metro service running
Infopark have confirmed that initial discussions with KMRL regarding from Digha Ghat to Kangan Ghat, following the signing of a
this potential extension have already taken place. memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Department
The ongoing construction of the Pink Line aims for completion of Tourism and the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) in
by 2026, with the current route planned to end near Infopark’s Bhavnagar, Gujarat.
Phase I campus. Infopark CEO Sushanth Kurunthil emphasized the The MoU was signed by Sunil Kumar Singh, Chairman of IWAI,
importance of metro connectivity for the upcoming integrated and Nand Kishore, Managing Director of Bihar State Tourism
township, which is expected to be one of Kerala’s largest Development Corporation (BSTDC), marking a major step towards
infrastructure projects. a tourism-friendly urban water transport system valued at `908
“We expect that at least two lakh people will be employed at the crore.
township, with an additional four lakh associated with the campus. The new service will deploy state-of-the-art hybrid electric
Transportation facilities will be crucial,” Kurunthil said. He noted that catamaran vessels like the ‘MV Nishadraj’, which are fully air-
KMRL has indicated a willingness to consider extending the line to conditioned and can carry around 100 passengers, including
serve the new campus. designated spaces for two wheelchair users. These vessels operate
Further talks on the extension are expected to proceed after the in battery and hybrid modes, ensuring zero carbon emissions and
land pooling process for the new campus in Kizhakkambalam providing a safe, eco-friendly travel option for residents and tourists
panchayat, Kunnathunadu taluk, is finalized. “We are hopeful alike.
that the Metro extension project will advance alongside the land Tourism Minister Raju Kumar Singh praised the initiative, calling it
pooling process,” the CEO added. a significant boost for the city’s tourism. Tourism Secretary Lokesh
The Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) has already Kumar Singh revealed that the initial route will connect Digha
identified vacant plots, including uncultivated paddy fields near Paryatan Ghat to Kangan Ghat, with stops at NIT Ghat and Gai
Wonderla Amusement Park, roughly 2 kilometers from the Phase II Ghat.
campus, as the site for Infopark Phase III. A trial run is expected soon, and the tourism department aims to
Currently, the planned length of the Phase II Pink Line is 11.2 identify 10 additional locations for expansion. Officials said this
kilometers. The proposed extension will not only connect the new project will revolutionize water tourism in Patna, reduce pollution,
campus but also improve metro access to the existing Phase II and cut travel time. Patna is among 18 cities nationwide selected
Infopark campus. for developing efficient urban water transport systems.

44 CONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITIES|SEPTEMBER 2025