KOCHI: IT jobs are aplenty in Kochi city, it seems. In three years, the commercial capital of Kerala will be able to provide over one lakh direct jobs and at least three lakh indirect jobs. These jobs are being realised with the completion of the second phase of Infopark at Kakkanad. The park, the IT destination of Kochi has been growing fast ever since its inception in 2004, and within a short period of time, has attracted investments from IT majors like Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, Affiliated Computer Services, OPI Global, IBS Software Services and US Technology.
The beginning...
The foundation stone for the first building in the second phase of Infopark was laid by the then Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan in 2011. Now Infopark is all set to launch its brand new IT building ‘Jyothirmaya’ in its Phase two. It is expected to provide 80,000 direct job opportunities. Currently, the park has over 200 IT companies employing over 25,000 professionals. Altogether the Infopark will provide direct jobs to 1.05 lakh IT professionals apart from indirect employments.
“Designed as per international standards, the 160 acre second phase eco-friendly green park campus will have high energy saving measures and least carbon emission. The existing eco system will be maintained to the highest possible level. Apart from the built up space for IT, the park will have a large business convention centre the first of its kind in Kochi, budget hotels, shopping complexes, commercial centres, recreation and entertainment centres,” says Hrishikesh Nair, Chief Executive Officer, Infopark.
Treasure chest of jobs
The campus with water frontage to Kadamprayar river, will have a total built-up area of 8 million sqft. When it is fully operational, it will provide direct employment opportunities to 80,000 IT professionals, he adds.
IT professionals will be able to reach Phase two campus by boat from Vyttila Mobility Hub quickly. Infopark has already taken possession 125 acres of land for Phase 2 development and 85 per cent of this land has already been allotted to 11 companies to construct IT parks and own campuses.
The Master plan for second phase envisages infrastructure development for cost effective BPO complexes, software development blocks in SEZ and non SEZ clusters, utility services including 220 KV Gas Insulated Substation, water treatment plant, sewage treatment plant, road net work etc. The developments are planned to repeat the success of first phase of Infopark and the second phase is expected to reach its full completion by 2023. Infopark extends its reach with the developments at Koratty and Cherthala.
Major Firms
The park’s first IT campus by Cognizant technologies is now operational on 15 acres of land allotted to them. Muthoot Group will construct a global standard IT park on 9.37 acres of land in addition to their International School Sanskara which has already commenced classes on 5.25 acres of land allotted to them. The school will offer classes from KG to 12th Standard when fully completed. Kosamattam Group will have an IT building on 1.3 acres of land, Claysys Infrastructure will have a facility on 1.6 acres, Trans Asia on 2.63 acres and Media System will have a facility on one acre of land. For the first time in Kerala, Infopark Phase 2 will also house a Tier 4 Data Centre of PI Data Centres on 5.8 acres of land at Kochi-Phase II.