Thrissur, Kerala: On February 26, 2016, then Industries Minister PK Kunhalikutty inaugurated what was billed as the largest industrial park within a corporation limit in Kerala at Puzhakkal.

Built at a cost of Rs 19.5 crore on 51.44 acres owned by the Industries Department, the multi-storey industrial park, spread over more than one lakh square feet, was envisioned to attract investments worth Rs 500 crore and create 5,000 jobs.

A decade later, Kunhalikutty is once again the Industries Minister. Yet not a single enterprise has set up operations here, and not one person has secured a job. The park is now falling into disrepair.

At the inauguration ceremony, allotment orders were handed over to 69 prospective entrepreneurs for space in the park. The entrepreneurs took out loans worth crores and purchased machinery, equipment and technology. But before the land could be allotted, the government changed.

An investigation was launched following allegations of corruption in the construction of the building. Although the probe continued for four years, it found no irregularities. By then, however, the park had reached the brink of ruin.

The LDF government ignored the allotment list prepared under the previous government and attempted to draw up a new list. Those who had received allotments under the original list opposed the move. Amid the dispute, then Industries Minister P. Rajeev inaugurated the park's second complex on October 14, 2023, on the same premises.

At the time, he also assured that the park would be allotted to those on the original list within 30 days.

The park is now overgrown with weeds. Plaster has peeled off from the floors and ceilings of all three storeys. Two loading lifts, each with a capacity of 2,000 kg, are out of service. The regular lifts, each capable of carrying 20 people, have also rusted away. A treatment plant, transformer, well and pond, together costing around Rs 1 crore, have become unusable.