Emerging Kerala
Emerging Kerala is a biennial investors' summit organized by the Government of Kerala, India. The event brings together business leaders, investors, corporations, policy makers, and thought leaders. The summit serves as a platform to discuss and explore business opportunities in Kerala.
Investment options
Twenty-six sectors have been identified and the following project profiles have been prepared by various departments, PSUs & other agencies for showcasing in 'Emerging Kerala 2012'- Tourism
- Healthcare services
- Manufacturing including Engineering & Automotive
- Projects under MSME Sector
- IT / ITES / IT Infrastructure
- Science & Technology
- Trade & Retailing
- Food & Agro Processing and Value-addition
- Ports, Shipbuilding
- Textiles & Garments
- Electronics
- Knowledge / Education sector
- Green Energy
- Bio-Technology, Nano Technology, Pharmaceuticals
- Urban Infrastructure Development
- Infotainment
- Logistics
- Petrochemicals
- Gas based Industries
- Airport Infrastructure, Airplane and Helicopter services
- Centers of Excellence
- Infrastructure development
Emerging Kerala Global Connect 2012
The Hon'ble Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh inaugurated the three-day event.
These include:
- Business meets
- Sectoral conclaves;
- Domestic and international road-shows
- Discussion and debates
- Plenary Sessions
- Sectoral presentations;
- Round tables.
- Business to Business connects;
- Business to Government connects.
- Cultural performances
Results of the Summit
The meeting resulted in 45 project proposals, with an investment exceeding Rs. 40,000 crore. Notable projects include the expansion of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd.'s Kochi Refinery and a joint venture worth Rs. 18,000 crore, Volkswagen's engine assembly unit, a hospital and pre-cast concrete structure manufacturing unit, and a solar energy plant.The Confederation of Indian Industry announced the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in Entrepreneurship in Kerala. During a meeting, 43 business proposals were discussed involving various departments of the State and companies from the United Kingdom, United States, Japan, and Canada.
The Government of Kerala will set up the Kerala State Investment Board to expedite the approval process for proposals. Amendments will be made to the Single-Window Clearance Act, including transitioning to an online application system.
The Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation will develop one lakh square feet of built-up space in 16 months for incubators, with the first phase of 25,000 square feet scheduled for completion by May 2013. This project aims to establish the world's largest telecom incubator. Additionally, the State government plans to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem by creating a Technology Innovation Zone on 10 acres in Kochi, with an initial investment of Rs. 100 crore.
Mega projects
A number of Mega projects are being conceptualized and developed in the State, the most prominent of which are as follows:;Color key
Projects by year
2026
2025
2024
Other Maga Projects
Other projects
Updates mega projects in Kerala
| Project | Location | Status |
| Ernakulam Junction railway station | Ernakulam | Under-development |
| Kollam Junction railway station | Kollam | Under-development |
| Thiruvananthapuram railway station | Thiruvananthapuram | Proposed |
| Thrissur railway station | Thrissur | In the planning stages |
| Project | Location | Status |
| Kuthiran Tunnel | Kunthiran |
| Project | Location | Status |
| Kannur international airport | Kannur | |
| Sabarimala Greenfield Airport | Manimala & Erumely, Kottayam District | Proposed |
| Bekal Airport | Bekal | Proposed |
| Thiruvambady Airport | Thiruvambady | Proposed |
| Kerala seaplane | Kochi |
| Project | Location | Time | Status | Notes |
| Vanda Bharat express | Kasaragod–Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express | 08hrs 5mins | India's 15th Vande Bharat Express train, connecting Kasaragod with state capital Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. The train service was officially inaugurated on 25 April 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Thiruvananthapuram Central. As of July 2023, it is the best-performing Vande Bharat Express train service with an average occupancy of 183 per cent, according to official data. | |
| Vanda Bharat express | Kasaragod–Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express | 07hrs 55mins | India's 33rd Vande Bharat Express train, connecting Kasaragod with state capital Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. It is the second Vande Bharat Express in Kerala as well as India's first saffron coloured semi-high speed train. The service was inaugurated on 24 September 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi via video conference from New Delhi. | |
| Silver Line | Kasaragod- Thiruvananthapuram | 4 hrs | Proposed higher-speed rail line in India that would connect Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city, and Kasaragod of Kerala state.Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Chengannur, Kottayam, Kochi, Thrissur, Tirur, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod will be the stations in this corridor. |
| Project | Location | Note | Status |
| Nilambur-Nanjangud line | Nanjangud to Nilambur through Wayanad district of Kerala and Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu. | Railways have reportedly made the move following the intervention of technocrat E. Sreedharan who had certified the viability of the proposed line from Nilambur to Mysuru. | Proposed |
| Sabarimala Railway | Angamaly Erumeli | Sabarimala Railway is a proposed 111-kilometre -long railway line in Kerala, India, that will run from Angamaly to Erumeli. It was sanctioned in 1998 by Indian Railways. The line's name comes from the fact that it will provide a railway facility to pilgrims visiting the Sabarimala Temple. |
| Project | Location | Type | Phase | Status |
| Kochi metro | Kochi | Rapid transit | Phase l - 25 | |
| Kochi metro | Kochi | Rapid transit | Phase II – 11 station | Under-development |
| Kochi metro | Kochi | Rapid transit | Phase III– station 14 | Proposed |
| Thiruvananthapuram light metro | Thiruvananthapuram | light rapid transit | Phase I – 19 station | |
| Kozhikode light metro | Kozhikode | Light rapid transit | Phase I – 22 station |
Permanently Halted/Abandoned Projects
The following are major infrastructure projects that have been permanently suspended or abandoned due to a combination of environmental, financial, and administrative challenges, resulting in delays or complete termination.| No. | Project Title | Location | Reason for Halting |
| 1 | Aranmula International Airport | Pathanamthitta | Proposed in Aranmula, this private airport project faced strong opposition from local residents and environmentalists. The airport was to be located on land that was believed to be ecologically fragile, and the Kerala High Court later ruled in favour of the opposition, leading to the project's permanent cancellation. |
| 2 | Hydro Power Projects in Silent Valley | Palakkad | The Silent Valley Hydroelectric Project, which was proposed in the 1970s, was permanently shelved following widespread protests by environmental activists and local communities. The project was believed to be a major threat to the biodiversity of the Silent Valley forest, part of the Western Ghats. |
| 3 | Athirappilly Hydroelectric Project | Thrissur | The Athirappilly hydroelectric project was halted after widespread protests from environmental groups and local communities. The project would have affected the biodiversity-rich region near the Athirappilly waterfalls, and concerns about environmental destruction and displacement led to its cancellation. |
| 4 | Vizhinjam Mother and Child Hospital | Thiruvananthapuram | The construction of a mother and child hospital in Vizhinjam, was halted midway due to issues in project management, budget overruns, and bureaucratic delays. While initially approved to provide healthcare facilities to underserved areas, it remains unfinished due to administrative hurdles. |
| 5 | Gas-Based Power Plant | Thiruvananthapuram | Proposed to provide cleaner energy, this gas-based power plant in Thiruvananthapuram was halted after initial planning due to concerns over fuel availability and environmental clearances. |
| 6 | Karapuzha Irrigation Project | Wayanad | This irrigation project was initiated to help farmers in the Wayanad region but has faced multiple delays due to budget overruns and environmental concerns. The project remains unfinished despite being planned decades ago. |
| 7 | Kannur Aerotropolis | Kannur | The Kannur Aerotropolis, envisioned as an airport city with industrial and commercial hubs, remains stalled due to land acquisition disputes and insufficient private sector interest. The project was meant to boost economic activity in the Kannur region but is currently in limbo. |
| 8 | Kerala Seaplane | Kollam | The Kerala Seaplane project, initially met with mixed reactions, faced significant setbacks. Protests from fishing communities over concerns about livelihood and the environment forced the project to relocate. Despite efforts to gain community support, the project was ultimately abandoned due to operational challenges and mounting losses. The aircraft remained grounded, and the government's expert committee was unable to complete its assessment. |