Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has dedicated the third phase of expansion of Technopark to the nation. The Chief Minister, who is indisposed and advised rest, delivered his inaugural speech via Skype and formally threw open the twin IT towers ‘Ganga’ and ‘Yamuna’ on Wednesday (15th January 2014).
LARGE CAMPUS
“Technopark Phase III features high-class IT infrastructure and it is a moment of pride for us since it has become the largest IT park in the country,” he said. The phase III campus has a built-up area one million sq ft developed over 92 acres of land. This takes total built up are in entire Technopark campus to 7.2 million sq ft. P.K. Kunhalikkutty, Minister for Industries and IT, who presided over the inaugural session, said that Technopark provides direct employment to more than 45,000 professionals. Over 1.5 lakh people get benefited indirectly.
In the next one year, Tata Consultancy Services will add 10,000 employees; Infosys, 4000; and UST Global, 8,000, the Minister said. “This will help boost export revenues from Technopark which touched Rs 4,500 crore during the last year,” he added.
INNOVATION ZONE
In the last two years, the government has taken steps to handhold IT companies and focused on providing global exposure to SME companies. “Our infrastructure is expanding. A Technology Innovation Zone is being set up in Kochi, and ICT technology centres are proposed in every district,” Kunhalikkutty said.
The government is also framing a new policy to promote private IT Parks. The SmartCity is in advanced stages of operations. Infopark-Kochi is also expanding while the Cyberpark has got the nod.
PITCHES TENT
P.H. Kurian, Principal Secretary, IT, welcomed the gathering and K.G. Girish Babu, CEO, Technopark, proposed a vote of thanks. Five companies have already started operations in Phase III. Another 30 are expected to be operational by March 2014, Kurian said.
According to Girish Babu, the long wait to see a dream realise is over with the dedication of the prestigious phase III. The twin towers are the first LEED gold-rated IT space of the government.
Among those present at the inaugural were V.K. Mathews, Executive Chairman of IBS Group; Hrishikesh Nair, CEO, Infopark-Kochi; M. Vasudevan, Senior Business Development Manager, Technopark; and K.C.C. Nar, CFO of Technopark-Technology Business Incubator.
