The Hindu Business Line : Kinfra park at Nellad may prove a boon

THE Small Industries Park set up by the Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Kinfra) at Nellad in Ernakulam district is expected to provide a boost to the industrial development of the district.

The park, set up in an area of 67 acres of land under the Integrated Infrastructure Development Scheme (IIDC) of the Union Industry Ministry, is aimed at establishing small and tiny industrial units in sectors like handicrafts and rubber-based industries with close linkage to agriculture. Around 30 acres have been earmarked for projects in the food-processing sector alone, Mr Iyju Jacob, Assistant Manager (Civil), Kinfra Small Industries Park (K-SIP), Nellad, said.

As many as 17 companies have been allotted with land and the units included polyurethane manufacturing, manufacturing of plastic printed bags and polymer pipes, herbal extracts, rubber-based industry and agro-based units. Few of them have started the civil work and the total proposed investment is Rs 962.92 lakh, he said.

He said that various infrastructure development works in the park such as land development, water source, distribution work and power supply have been completed. The park would get uninterrupted power supply and a 33 KV substation will be commissioned soon. Two bore wells, an open well and rainwater harvesting to recharge water sources would ensure that there is no shortage of water.

Some leading names in the area of food processing would set up facilities in the park. Sara Spices, which has recently launched its ready-to-eat products, has taken up land for its fish curry, biriyani and curry powder units, he added.

The food processing industrial parks act as a catalyst for the agro industrial development in the State by providing common multi users facilities where small to large investors can set up units for agro food processing.