KOCHI: Following lukewarm response from information technology companies for its 160-acre second phase, Infopark, the city's premier IT facility, is desperately trying to woo IT, IT-enabled services (ITES) and business process outsourcing (BPO) companies to the extension project.
Proposals for the second phase development were first invited in October 2011. So far, only IT major Cognizant has taken 15 acres on lease in the second phase coming up in Kunnathunad and Puthencruz villages. The company has already started work on its buildings. In the 100-acre first phase, Infopark was able to attract over 125 companies.
"The park authorities are in the final stages of discussion with another company for allotting two acres of land. The agreement with the firm is likely to be signed after the new chief executive officer of the park takes charge," the source said.
In the special economic zone (SEZ), 80 acres is currently available for the second phase expansion.
"We are holding discussions with various companies, including those that have presence in the first phase, for land allotment," said an official.
Meanwhile, park authorities said they have started work on roads and an electricity substation at the park. Work on the water supply project has already been completed, sources said.
Proposals have been invited for setting up own building and buildings that can be given for rent to IT and ITES firms. Facilities planned in the
SEZ area include a convention centre, hotels and hospitality facilities, sports and recreation club, working women's hostel and a boat club.
The non-SEZ commercial area will have shopping complexes, star hotels, multiplexes, schools and studio apartments apart from other facilities.
Land will be allotted only for IT, ITES and BPO companies that have been functioning for three years. The same will be applicable for co-developers or infrastructure firms interested in taking up the IT campus project in SEZ.
Meanwhile, Infopark has increased the lease amount for IT, ITES and BPO companies from Rs 248 lakh to Rs 253 lakh per acre. For commercial use, the lease has been hiked from Rs 320 lakh to Rs 333 lakh per acre. The park is expected to create over 80,000 IT employment opportunities when it becomes fully operational.
Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com