Technopark Phase 3, Kollam IT park get SEZ status

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, INDIA: The Government of India has formally notified Technopark Phase 3 and Technopark Kollam as Special Economic Zones (SEZ). This decision was taken at a meeting of the Board of Approvals, Ministry of Commerce, and Government of India, held at New Delhi.

According to Kerala IT Department, Technopark has been getting a lot of international attention for IT and ITeS investment. With these approvals for setting up a Special Economic Zone in Phase 3 and Kollam, Technopark will become a much-sought after destination for IT and ITeS investment.

The Technopark Phase 3 will be developed over 92 acres of land. Technopark has already commenced construction of a signature building with one million sq ft built-up area which will be one of the largest IT buildings in the country.

Technopark will be allotting land in Phase 3 to IT and ITeS companies and infrastructure development companies. The support facilities like 110 KV sub-station, water supply system are ready. Work on sewage treatment plant, canal embankment, approach road, internal roads and bridge works are in progress.

Meanwhile, Technopark Kollam will be developed in a 40-acre SEZ as a most modern and global standard IT park in Kundara on the banks of the scenic Ashtamudi lake, which was announced earlier this year.

This project, when completed, will have 2 million sq ft of built-up space and will provide employment to around 15,000 IT and ITeS professionals.

“Conceptual design for a modern IT building, measuring half a million sq ft of built-up space incorporating the green building concept has already been approved for Technopark Kollam by the Board,” said IT Secretary Ajay Kumar, who is also the Chairman of the Technopark Board. The proposed IT building at Kollam has a futuristic design marking a clear distinction from the conventional construction.

Mervin Alexander, CEO, Technopark, said the first phase of Technopark Kollam building was expected to be ready for occupation by early 2011. The first company is expected to commence operations from Kollam Technopark by early 2011. The remaining land will be allotted to IT and ITeS companies and IT infrastructure developers as developed plots as per the master plan.