Infopark Kochi is awaiting Special Economic Zone (SEZ) status for more area where it proposes to develop its second phase.
A meeting of the Board of Approvals (BoA) of the Union Ministry of Commerce had granted SEZ status to about 31 acres of the 160-odd acres identified for the second phase in Puthencruz and Kunnathunadu villages in September last year.
Infopark has now applied for SEZ status for another 60-odd acres and the BoA is likely to consider it during its next meeting, sources said.
Meanwhile, land development work on the site of the second phase is progressing. While the rain has slowed down the progress of the work, everything is going as per plan, sources said.
Discussions are also on to identify co-developers for the second phase. Infopark is on the lookout for co-developers with experience in IT infrastructure development for developing IT/BPO complexes in the 97 acres of SEZ area. Developers also have options to construct hotels, a convention centre, sports club and other recreational facilities in the additional 25 acres of non-SEZ area.
Basic infrastructure
Infopark proposes to complete the first building earmarked for software-cum-IT/BPO complex with a built-up space of 4 lakh sq.ft. by March 2013. The IT/BPO complex will have a seating capacity of 4,500. The objective is to complete all the three proposed buildings with an area of about 15 lakh sq.ft in the next seven years.
Infopark aims to undertake the construction of the buildings without any time gap in between. The construction of the second building will be launched by December next year even as the first building is nearing completion.
Development of basic infrastructure facilities such as sub-station, internal road system, water intake, treatment and storage, data and communication connectivity, land development, compound wall, guest house, and common food courts have already been taken up. By the time the first building is ready to be commissioned, the entire park will also be ready with all the necessary amenities, Infopark CEO Gijo Joseph said.
The total area has been classified into SEZ, commercial, and non-SEZ for development. The domestic park in the new phase is aimed at creating cost effective infrastructure for the IT/BPO industry. It will have all state-of-the-art facilities including shopping arcades, town centre plaza, convention centre, women's hostel, guest house, facilities for rest and recreation, boat club, etc.
On completion, the park is expected to provide employment to around 80,000-90,000 professionals. The State government has allocated Rs.50 crore towards infrastructure development for the second phase.
