Kerala has designated Rs 0.9 billion for the initial phase of green hydrogen valley and more than Rs 124 billion for the green transport corridor projects. The earmarked budget of Rs 0.9 billion will be utilised to establish three hydrogen valley platforms, with distribution across the entire hydrogen value chain encompassing production, distribution, and transportation.
In Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi, the state intends to establish two green hydrogen valleys. The Department of Science and Technology has received the proposal for the Kochi valley, and work is currently underway to prepare a proposal for the Vizhinjam project. In order to spur action and investment in research and development to make sustainable energy affordable and available to all, the European Commission and 23 other nations have launched the Mission Innovation, for which the DST is accepting applications from organisations to establish hydrogen valleys. Kerala also envisions converting its major transport corridors, including the west coast canal, coastal, and hill highways, into environmentally sustainable trade corridors.
The west coast canal project would cost Rs 24 billion, and Rs 3 billion has been set aside for land acquisition, out of the total project cost of Rs 124 billion for the green transport corridor. The hill highway project is projected to cost Rs 35 billion, while the coastal highway project would cost Rs 65 billion. Along the Vizhinjam to Kochi corridor, the intention is to establish a hydrogen and electric vehicle charging infrastructure network.
The anticipated completion date for the coastal highway project is 2027. This project begins in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Poovar and concludes at the Kasaragod district of Thalapady. It links key ports such as Kollam, Vizhinjam, Vallarpadam, and several smaller ports. Approximately 68 pieces of land covering a combined area of 181 acres have been identified along the coastal highway, and the process of acquiring these lands has commenced. It is anticipated that the hill highway project will be completed by 2026.
To establish land banks and draw investments under the PPP mode, the state government is mapping out potential areas for economic growth along the west coast canal and coastal roadways. Additionally, plans for transit-oriented development along these corridors are currently in progress.
