The second phase expansion of Infopark Kochi has gathered momentum with IT major Cognizant set to start construction work of their campus shortly.
“Cognizant will start work on their campus, proposed on 15 acres, next month,” Infopark Chief Executive Officer Gigo Joseph told The Hindu on Wednesday. The campus is likely to have a built-up space of five lakh sq. ft. at an investment of about Rs.200 crore, he said.
“We plan to complete the entire second phase within eight years at an investment of Rs.2,500 crore. When completed it would have a total built-up space of 80 lakh sq. ft. that will generate 80,000 direct jobs and almost double that number of indirect jobs,” Mr. Joseph said.
Meanwhile, work is progressing on Infopark’s software block being developed at an investment of Rs.100 crore. The block will spread over seven acres and will have a built-up space of four lakh sq. ft. It will include a BPO complex and a convention centre.
The building is likely to be completed by March next. Mr. Joseph expects the space to sell like hot cakes once construction is completed.
Infopark is also holding discussions with prospective investors to be co-developers for setting up a sector specific IT and IT-Enabled Services Special Economic Zone.
Part of the second phase expansion, the zone will come up on 160 acres spread over Kunnathunadu and Puthencruz villages.
Co-developers have also been sought for developing a township as part of the second phase.
Emerging Kerala, the three-day global investors’ meet held in the city last September, clinched valuable investment proposals for Infopark’s second phase expansion.
Two Bangalore-based companies had evinced interest to associate with the second phase expansion as co-developers. The deal would have been sealed long back if not for global recessionary trends.
Mr. Joseph said the proposals were very much alive and under discussion. The idea is to hand out land to the investors which they can develop, and later lease out. The extent of land to be handed over is yet to be worked out.
Infopark has acquired 125 cares out of the 160 acres. Legal issues are involved in acquiring the remaining land.
Of the total, 96 acres had been notified as Special Economic Zone.
