Government revise Kovalam-Vizhinjam master plan
ECONOMY & POLICY

Government revise Kovalam-Vizhinjam master plan

The Kovalam-Vizhinjam area master plan received its final notification from the local self-government department. A relaxation in height restrictions is included in the revised master plan's general provisions. The maximum building height in the master plan area was raised by the government from nine metres to 12 metres. In the draft notification issued in September 2022, the maximum height was fixed as 9 metres.

A recent notification says that all future developments shall be in conformity with provisions of the master plan for the Kovalam-Vizhinjam area. All development and constructions within the planning area boundary prescribed in the master plan shall also conform to the building rules in force - the Coastal Zone Regulations, the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, restrictions imposed by the Aircrafts Act, 1934, (Central Act 22 of 1934), notifications under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, and other statutes applicable.

The land has been zoned for a variety of uses, including agricultural, commercial, public, and semi-public. Lands have also been set aside for civic centres, subcenters at Vellar and Vizhinjam, tourism development, a fishing harbour area, an industrial zone, camping and recreation areas, and golf courses. Under public and semi-public uses, housing, etc, are also included in the areas that will be purchased for the rehabilitation of fishermen and the areas set aside for staff quarters.

In accordance with the notification, all zones may continue to allow the use of existing structures for religious purposes, agricultural land, and areas and structures of significant archaeological value. All buildings and land developments near monuments that are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), such as the Parasurama Temple in Thiruvallam and the Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple, must adhere to the relevant ASI regulations.

The development plan was approved by the government in 1978, and it underwent changes in 2010. To make the zoning regulations consistent with the current development scenario, it has once more been modified. According to the notification, large-scale development proposals in all zones other than watercourses may be allowed if they are not included in the permitted uses or restricted uses as per the applicable zoning regulation, cover an area not less than 0.5 hectares, exceed an investment of Rs 500 million, and provide direct employment for at least 250 people (after the project is commissioned). A special committee must approve these projects, and a list of requirements has been established for them.

Also Read
Govt to develop more than 250 ropeway projects of over 1,200 km
PLI to generate investment of Rs 300 bn in specialty steel sector


The Kovalam-Vizhinjam area master plan received its final notification from the local self-government department. A relaxation in height restrictions is included in the revised master plan's general provisions. The maximum building height in the master plan area was raised by the government from nine metres to 12 metres. In the draft notification issued in September 2022, the maximum height was fixed as 9 metres. A recent notification says that all future developments shall be in conformity with provisions of the master plan for the Kovalam-Vizhinjam area. All development and constructions within the planning area boundary prescribed in the master plan shall also conform to the building rules in force - the Coastal Zone Regulations, the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, restrictions imposed by the Aircrafts Act, 1934, (Central Act 22 of 1934), notifications under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, and other statutes applicable. The land has been zoned for a variety of uses, including agricultural, commercial, public, and semi-public. Lands have also been set aside for civic centres, subcenters at Vellar and Vizhinjam, tourism development, a fishing harbour area, an industrial zone, camping and recreation areas, and golf courses. Under public and semi-public uses, housing, etc, are also included in the areas that will be purchased for the rehabilitation of fishermen and the areas set aside for staff quarters. In accordance with the notification, all zones may continue to allow the use of existing structures for religious purposes, agricultural land, and areas and structures of significant archaeological value. All buildings and land developments near monuments that are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), such as the Parasurama Temple in Thiruvallam and the Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple, must adhere to the relevant ASI regulations. The development plan was approved by the government in 1978, and it underwent changes in 2010. To make the zoning regulations consistent with the current development scenario, it has once more been modified. According to the notification, large-scale development proposals in all zones other than watercourses may be allowed if they are not included in the permitted uses or restricted uses as per the applicable zoning regulation, cover an area not less than 0.5 hectares, exceed an investment of Rs 500 million, and provide direct employment for at least 250 people (after the project is commissioned). A special committee must approve these projects, and a list of requirements has been established for them.Also Read Govt to develop more than 250 ropeway projects of over 1,200 kmPLI to generate investment of Rs 300 bn in specialty steel sector

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Resources

Schindler named among Forbes’ World’s Best Employers 2026

Schindler has been named among Forbes’ World’s Best Employers 2026, a global ranking recognising companies for their workplace environments.Compiled by Forbes in partnership with Statista, the ranking is based on independent employee feedback, including whether employees would recommend their organisation to friends and family.The company said the recognition reflected its focus on creating a workplace where employees can develop their expertise and build careers. ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

India needs an export-execution mindset: Vishesh Jain

Interview with Vishesh Jain, Founder & CEO, EximpleWhat gaps in India’s global trade ecosystem led you to build Eximple, and what problem did you see businesses struggling with most?Eximple came out of a problem that all three founders had seen from different choke points in the trade ecosystem. India has millions of MSMEs and manufacturers, and many of them can make products that are genuinely competitive on quality. Yet only a small fraction is able to build meaningful international businesses. In our experience, the gap is usually not manufacturing capability; it is the ability to exe..

Next Story
Building Material

Nuvoco reports 13.5% revenue growth in Q2 FY27

Nuvoco Vistas Corp. Ltd. reported consolidated revenue of Rs 27.9 billion for Q2 FY27, up 13.5% year on year. Cement sales volume rose 9% to 4.7 million tonnes (MMT), while EBITDA increased 11% to Rs 4.11 billion.The company said it began its cement operations in 2014 with a 2.3 MMT per annum (MMTPA) operation at Nimbol. It now aims to reach 35 MMTPA of cement capacity by FY28, nearly 15 times its initial capacity. Its portfolio spans cement, ready-mix concrete and modern building materials.On sustainability and cost efficiency, Nuvoco partnered with CleanMax for a 46.4 MW wind-solar hybrid re..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code