Kerala Cabinet Clears Rs 600 Crore Land Acquisition for KSpace Aerospace Centre

The Kerala Cabinet has given its approval for the acquisition of 60 acres of land adjacent to the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) to set up an Aerospace Control Systems Centre under the Kerala SpacePark initiative, also known as KSpace. This decision marks a significant step in strengthening Kerala’s position in India’s growing space, aviation, and defence manufacturing landscape.

An allocation of Rs 600 crore has been sanctioned for the land acquisition through the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). The acquisition will be carried out in accordance with the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement Act, ensuring due compensation and statutory safeguards for affected landowners.

As part of the Cabinet decision, KSpace will function as the special purpose vehicle for executing the land acquisition process. The Chief Executive Officer of KSpace has been designated as the requisitioning authority, enabling streamlined coordination and faster execution of the project. The proposed Aerospace Control Systems Centre is expected to focus on advanced systems, testing, and integration activities linked to space and aerospace programmes.

KSpace is a flagship initiative of the Kerala government aimed at creating a dedicated industrial ecosystem for space, aviation, and defence sectors. By leveraging the state’s proximity to VSSC and its existing scientific talent base, the government aims to attract high-value investments, technology-driven enterprises, and global collaborations.

The project is also expected to generate significant employment opportunities, particularly for skilled professionals in engineering, electronics, software, and advanced manufacturing. Officials believe the centre will play a crucial role in expanding Kerala’s capabilities in aerospace technologies while supporting India’s broader space ambitions.

With this approval, Kerala continues to position itself as a knowledge-driven industrial hub, aligning infrastructure development with emerging sectors such as space technology, defence manufacturing, and advanced research. The establishment of the Aerospace Control Systems Centre under KSpace is seen as a long-term strategic investment that could reshape the state’s industrial and innovation ecosystem.