Kerala Plans Land Banks, Faster Approvals to Attract ₹20,000 Crore Investment

Kerala is working on a set of measures aimed at addressing land availability and speeding up regulatory approvals as the state seeks to attract larger investments across industries.

The proposals were discussed during a Round Table Conference on Invest Keralam held as part of the three-day Reimagining Keralam initiative. Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty identified the availability of suitable land as one of the key constraints for bringing large investment projects into the state.

According to the minister, Kerala has several advantages for investors, including its long coastline, Vizhinjam seaport and connectivity through road, rail and air networks. However, the availability of development-ready land remains a challenge.

To address this, the state is considering the creation of land banks that could make suitable parcels available for investment projects.

Kerala proposes Saral Keralam approval system

The Kerala Cabinet has approved a proposal to introduce Saral Keralam, or Simplified and Accelerated Regulatory Approvals and Licences Keralam. The proposed system is intended to provide industrial investors with faster access to licences and permits through a single-window clearance mechanism.

The government is also considering a new investment governance framework comprising an Investment Advisory Council, Invest Keralam Cell and Special Investment Zones.

The Invest Keralam Cell is proposed as the apex single-window facility. It would be developed by transforming the existing investment promotion and facilitation mechanism of the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation into a data-driven, AI-supported system.

The Investment Advisory Council would provide market intelligence, information on global trends and strategic direction for investment initiatives.

Special Investment Zones proposed

The proposed Special Investment Zones are expected to function as planned economic zones with infrastructure, faster approvals and pooled resources for industries based on specific themes.

Higher Education Minister Roji M John said the state also plans to allow investors to establish private universities and facilitate collaborations with foreign universities. The government intends to align education curricula more closely with industry requirements to improve employment opportunities for young people in Kerala.

The proposed investment framework is expected to attract between ₹10,000 crore and ₹20,000 crore over the next 10 years. It could also generate 50,000 to 75,000 direct jobs during the same period.

The discussions form part of Reimagining Keralam, a three-day initiative focused on developing a framework to fast-track transformational projects announced in Kerala’s 2026–27 Budget.