New Delhi: The Supreme Court has approved the transfer of land in the Nettukaltheri open prison compound in Kattakada, Thiruvananthapuram, for three major development projects.

Under the order, 180 acres will be allocated to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the establishment of a BrahMos missile manufacturing unit. In addition, 32 acres will be transferred for the National Forensic Science University and another 32 acres for the headquarters of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) Battalion.

The DRDO had requested the Kerala government to allot land for BrahMos Aerospace Trivandrum Limited to develop a unit for state-of-the-art missile manufacturing and strategic hardware production. The Central Government is also considering bringing the project under the Ministry of Defence.

The SSB battalion headquarters is a long-standing demand of the Union Home Ministry, and its establishment in Kerala will ensure a permanent presence of central forces in the state, strengthening national security. The National Forensic Science University is also expected to play a key role in the region.

The Nettukaltheri open prison currently spans 457 acres. Of this, 200 acres will be retained for prison operations, while the remaining 257 acres will be transferred for the three projects. Since the land belongs to an open prison, Supreme Court approval was required for any transfer. Standing counsel Nishe Rajen Sonker appeared before the bench led by Justice Vikram Nath on behalf of the Kerala government. Land transfer for all three projects is expected to take place soon following the court’s order.