Govt clears Rs 215cr lifescience project in Thonnakkal
Thiruvananthapuram: The state govt has approved a Rs 215-crore investment proposal by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST) at the Bio360 Life Science Park in Thonnakkal, Thiruvananthapuram.
An order issued by the industries department on June 7 also permits the allotment of 10 acres of land to CSIR-NIIST on a lease of up to 90 years at no financial cost. The allotted land falls within the area designated for the second phase of development at the Bio360 Life Science Park, developed by Kerala Lifescience Industries Park Pvt Ltd (KLIP), a state-incorporated company promoting lifescience industries.
The approval follows a proposal submitted in Sept 2024 by the KLIP managing director to establish a CSIR-NIIST Centre for Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship.
The initiative includes a pilot plant for solar-aided hydrogen production from wastewater, supported by the department of science and technology and the state govt. It also proposes a bio-manufacturing hub under a Rs 115-crore joint submission by CSIR-NIIST and KLIP to the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (Birac).
Additional components include a production facility for bio-polymers and bio-based alternatives to plastic and animal leather, funded by CSIR and private industry partners.
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Plans also involve creating a manufacturing and standardisation hub for Ayush products in collaboration with the ministry of Ayush and industrial stakeholders. A regional resource development centre focused on rubber, coir and spices is also proposed, to be implemented under public-private partnership models and supported by govt schemes.
The land allotment falls under the unified industrial land and building allotment and disposal regulations introduced in 2024 for Kinfra and KSIDC.
These rules allow leasing a minimum of 10 acres for projects with investments above Rs 100 crore, for up to 90 years, subject to conditions. The investor must bring in Rs 100 crore within three years, with employment generation in line with the investment scale. All allotments require approval from the State Industrial Land Allotment Committee.
If the investment exceeds Rs 300 crore, additional incentives may be granted by a high-power committee led by the chief secretary, as per the state's industrial policy.
This marks one of the largest projects in the park's second phase, with timelines and employment targets set to guide its progress.
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