Kerala Science-IT Park foundation stone laid in Kannur

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday (February 17, 2026) said that Kerala has emerged as the most suitable destination in the country for establishing knowledge-based industries, as he laid the foundation stone for a Science Park and an IT Park at Cheriyavalappu, Anjarakandy, in Kannur.

The Chief Minister said the State’s highly qualified human resources, strong support for a knowledge economy, and sustained government efforts to establish high-quality research and development institutions have positioned Kerala as a preferred hub for science-and technology-driven industries.

The project, coming up on 50 acres at an estimated cost of ₹600 crore, will house advanced facilities and research centres. The park will function under the supervision of the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment, with academic guidance from Kannur University and higher education and research institutions in the Kozhikode and Kasaragod regions.

Job opportunities

The Chief Minister said students will gain opportunities for internships, projects, and skill development in life sciences research. Academic-industry collaboration is expected to bring transformative changes in higher education and generate lakhs of direct and indirect employment opportunities in the coming years, he added.

He further said the park aims to attract leading global scientists and companies in bio-processing and bio-prospecting. Kerala’s biodiversity-rich Western Ghats will be utilised in a scientific and sustainable manner to develop new medicinal formulations and biological products, positioning the State as a destination for global life sciences firms.

Boosting bio-economy

With premier laboratories establishing operations in Kerala, several ancillary companies are expected to grow across the State under their guidance, strengthening the bio-economy and enhancing the quality and value of biological products.

He said knowledge-based industries are witnessing rapid global expansion, driven by advances in science and technology. The State has taken responsibility for facilitating the growth of such industries and had earlier announced the establishment of four science parks and a Digital Science Park, which is already operational in Thiruvananthapuram, he added.

These centres are envisaged as platforms for collaboration among industries, start-ups, research institutions, and universities, enabling innovation and the translation of research into socially beneficial products and services, Mr. Vijayan said.

Recalling Kerala’s pioneering role in establishing India’s first Technopark and later the country’s first Digital University, he said the new IT Park in Kannur will help the district scale new heights in emerging technologies.

The government has also launched research promotion initiatives, including the Kairali Research Awards and the Chief Minister’s Post-Doctoral Fellowships, spending over ₹14.5 crore so far. Translational research laboratories are being set up in universities with an investment of ₹200 crore.

Speaker A.N. Shamseer presided over the function. Kannur University Vice-Chancellor K.K. Saju attended as the chief guest. Several elected representatives and senior officials were present.