SkyscraperCity Forum banner

MEGAPROJECT: Technocity Trivandrum | 20 Mn Sq Ft SEZ

655K views 2K replies 195 participants last post by  aravindar37 
#1 · (Edited)
Techno City near Pallippuram soon

Friday October 14 2005 12:58 IST
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The proposed ‘Techno City’ will come up on a 5,00-acre land between Pallippuram and Mangalapuram near the Technopark here.

The Techno City project is being conceived as a township, which will address most of the long-pending demands of the IT companies and techies working in the Technopark here.

The Techno City will be set up as a joint venture initiative. However, the modalities for the public-private participation for the project are yet to be decided.

As per the initial proposal, the government will have to spend at least Rs 100 crore for the acquisition of land earmarked for the ambitious venture for creating basic infrastructure facilities such as power, water and road facilities.

According to sources, the initial proposal is yet to get the ratification from the Finance Department.

As per the proposal, apart from the facility centres in the IT and IT-enabled services sectors, the Techno City will also meet the residential purposes of those working in companies in the Techno City.

It will also house education institutions, hospitals, entertainment centres and commercial complexes.

The 440/220 KV line of the National Power Grid is expected to supply adequate power to the Techno City.

The logic behind the setting up of a Techno City as a joint venture is that large-scale development over a considerable area of land is more conducive and acceptable when creating infrastructure facilities for IT and ITES industries.
 
See less See more
#27 ·
Sumesh...we also have to understand that the people have become more aware of developmental issues too. Whereas earlier elections used to be fought on ideology and political dogma, this time the corporation elections in Trivandrum was fought on a developmental agenda as well, resulting in a thrashing of the UDF, which has long neglected the city. Look how much they have woken up, announcing projects left, right and centre. I hope the LDF does not forget the lesson after the Parliament and Assembly polls...guess they won't! :D
 
#28 ·
News update about Technocity and Technopark

IT exports from Technopark to cross Rs. 600 cr.

P. Venugopal

More land to be acquired for expanding operations

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: IT exports from Technopark in Trivandrum are expected to cross Rs. 600 crores this year, according to Information Technology secretary P. H. Kurien. "We are in the midst of a virtual boom in IT activity," he told The Hindu "All the companies in Technopark have grown and are growing. And new companies have started coming here in a big way."

He said the 86 companies functioning in Technopark currently employ close to 10,000 professionals. The trend suggests that the number could double in another two or three years.

Availability of land is the only constraint at the moment. An extent of 242 acres of land acquired and developed in the first phase of Technopark's development has been fully utilised. The total built-up area occupied by IT companies at Technopark is 21,70,000 sq. ft. The acquisition of 100 acres more will be completed in a couple of months. This land too has been fully booked, Mr. Kurien said.

He said the area surrounding Technopark would soon turn into an "IT corridor." Earlier, there used to be local resistance to land acquisition programmes. However, the local residents are now coming forward with offers of land. He said IT majors have started recognising Trivandrum as one of the best destinations in the country. Blue chip companies such as Infosys, TCS, Ernst & Young, Allianz Cornhill, Link Air, Mckinsey and Co., Tata Elxsi, Alamy Images, RM ESI and Sherston ESI now have a presence in Trivandrum.

Companies such as US Software, IBS, SunTec, NeST, IVL, Ushus Technologies, Softex, Toonz Animation, Iridium and M2 Software have grown several fold over the last four or five years. Mr. Kurien said the next phase of IT development in Trivandrum would involve the acquisition of 500 acres of land for a `Technocity.' The department has a long list of inquiries from individual companies and also developers who want to invest in IT infrastructure in Trivandrum.
 
#29 ·
Technocity Land Acquisition started!

Mr P.H. Kurian, Secretary-Information Technology, Government of Kerala, said the Kerala IT policy needs to be revised next year. The Kerala State IT Mission has commenced work on drafting a revised IT policy, he added.

Acquisition of land for the development of the proposed `Techno City' in the suburbs of Thiruvananthapuram is on, he said. The acquisition process is likely to be completed in about three months, he added. Similarly, land required for the second phase of the expansion of the Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram is currently being developed, while land for the third phase of Technopark's expansion is being acquired, Mr Kurian explained. The second and third phase of the Technopark campus will have the status of a special economic zone, he added.
The Hindu Business Line, Nov 26
 
#30 ·
Land for IT infrastructure

Recently read in the newspapers that people of Attipra village are sore about the way the land development works are going on in connection with techno park expansion. Hope that the authorities concerned will take necessary steps to convince the people that such development will not damage the ecology of their neighbourhood beyond repair. In our enthusiasm for development, let us not forget the common man

I am not sure if such dissenting voices are the result of vested interests who have their own scores to settle. May be some one could throw some light on the issue.

K.Ashok
 
#31 ·
Hi Ashok - welcome to SSC, first of all! :) I had read the report too. It seems the concern is about filling in of paddy fields, removal of earth from hillsides and the dust generated by construction operations. Indeed these are major concerns, to be taken very seriously. However, like you said, there are also vested interests at work in this issue.

Firstly, the expansion of Technopark - Phase II and III - is not on areas under cultivation. The areas being reclaimed has been lying fallow for a long time. The issue that reclaimation will upset the hydrological balance should be met to a great extent by the design of the campuses. Infosys, for example, will be using extensive rainwater harvesting in their 50 acre campus. In fact, a large water body will be created using rainwater.....far from creating flooding. The small channel running through the area will be landscaped and preserved.

The issue of soil erosion is quite real. But, it is extremely unfair to blame the Technopark expansion for the problem. It is upto the State Govt. to take steps to check this issue everywhere. One can hope that they are more circumspect in giving contracts henceforth.

As to the question of vested interests, I know that there quite a few playing around especially at the time Phase II acquisition was progressing. Some of them wanted to retain the land to take advantage of the impending real estate boom in the area. Others, including one of the leaders of the agitation then, wanted to grind a few political axes. Now that the local body and parliamentary elections have given comprehensive results, these same rusty axes may once more be out of the cupboard.

What everyone should remember is that the future of Trivandrum is now heavily dependent on the IT/ITES industry and any hassles with that will set us back a long way. Hope the netas realize that. Anyways, Phase II is already underway and Phase III has almost completely been acquired. I am sure that Technopark can steer clear of further trouble. Technocity is located in a very sparsely populated area, hopefully there will be less trouble there! :)
 
#32 ·
A news update

The Kerala CM has asked for swift Central clearance and assistance for the Technocity project in Trivandrum in a meeting with Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia. The CM had met him to submit the 2006-07 Annual Plan for Kerala, which includes major projects like Technocity and the Vizhinjam Deepwater Port. :)
 
#33 ·
In a discussion with Technopark management, I came to know that the Raheja Group is also very keen to participate in the Technocity project. :) They have also expressed readiness to develop as much as 2.5 million sft as part of Technopark Phase III.

And...HAPPY NEW YEAR, everyone! :)
 
#34 ·
Land hand over expected to be complete by March 2006.

The news is from online malayalam edition of Malayala Manorama...

http://www.manoramaonline.com/servl...1&c=Page&nvar=1&parname=MalThiruvananthapuram

Salient points:

* Now it is 700 acres..to be acquired at Pallipuram.
* The Govt of Kerala has issued notification
* Population is sparse in the areas that are being acquired.
* 100 acres acquisition for Technopark Phase III would be complete by January 2006.
* Technopark Phase III also will be a SEZ along with the 96 acres already acquired for Infosys & US Technologies (Technopark Phase II).
 
#36 ·
Land acquisition to start on the 19th

Land acquisition of the 700 acres destined for the Technocity Project at Pallippuram, 3 Kms from Technopark, will commence on January 19th, the District Collector announced.
Source: The Deepika; Courtsey: Godman

Awesome news! :D
 
#37 ·
Technocity project moves ahead.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government on Friday said it would go ahead with the proposed Techno City IT park project at Pallipuram, near Thiruvananthapuram, but allayed fears of the local residents about large-scale eviction.

Talking to reporters after a special cabinet meeting today, Chief Minister Oomen Chandy said the government wanted to proceed with the project, but at the same time allay apprehensions of the locals about acquisition of land for the purpose. On the protest by people during land acquisition process yesterday, he said people were wrongly informed that more than 4,000 families would have to be evicted. As per information available to the government, only 40 families would lose their property. The government
would take all steps to safeguard the interest of those families, whose lands were taken up for the project, he added.

Final agreement for development of Vizhinjam Harbour as an international port terminal would be signed after getting necessary clearance from the Centre. The Centre's approval was needed as foreign companies were involved in the project implementation, he added. It has decided, in principle, to award the contract for the project to a consortium of two chinese companies and an Indian one.
The Economic Times
 
#38 ·
Technocity project plans being finalised...

- Plans for Technocity finalised
- Technocity concept to be transferred to other cities too.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE State Government plans to develop Kottayam, Thrissur, Kannur and Kozhikode as satellite information technology destinations to complement the State's main IT hubs, Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi.

Mr Purushothaman said the Government would play the role of a facilitator in developing the new IT destinations and urged private companies to make the State a key hub for IT business in the country.

The Finance Minister also stated that plans had been finalised for setting up a `Technocity' near Thiruvananthapuram. The Technocity would come up on a 500 acre plot and will have all facilities to house IT and BPO companies.
 
#39 · (Edited)
I am glad that they are doing something for the northern districts, particularly Kannur. The youth over there, in my opinion, are the most neglected and also the most un-demanding (even compared to Tvpm and that is saying something). From the long interactions I had with them, they seem to have been twisted by all political parties to spout the party viewpoint. I dearly wish they are more vocal in demanding development from their leaders, rather than going silently behind them for a 'collectorate march' or a coffin/martyr rally.

Of course, exceptions are there, as always and I happen to know some really good thinkers and innovators from Kannur. Always a delight to visit Kannur to just argue with them. Love the place, the people, theyyams and vadakkan style kalaripayattu!!

I am glad Tvpm welcomed the likes of MV Raghavan (and now Panniyan). For they have proven(arguably, I hasten to add) to be good for Tvpm. Though we have mistakenly welcomed one KKarunakaran of Kannur as our MP too !!

So here is for a techno-boost to Kannur!! :cheers:

I say, better bang each other on the head with algorithms than iron-rods.......


Ajaypp said:
- Plans for Technocity finalised
- Technocity concept to be transferred to other cities too.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
#41 ·
Technocity Update

It seems that GoK proposes to acquire 514 acres for TC, with a total set of 732 acres in mind. About 40 families would be displaced in the process. The District Collector has promised full rehabilitation for all the people concerned and the process is on. :)
 
#42 ·
SEZ Law passed...

THE much-awaited Special Economic Zones Act 2005 would come into effect from Friday with the requisite SEZ rules providing for simplification of procedures, single window clearance, easy compliance procedures and documentation and the number of services to be rendered from SEZs and areas governing SEZ all having been put in place.

Read more

Good news for Technocity, which will be one of the largest single IT parks in the country. :)
 
#43 · (Edited)
Technocity land to be taken over soon.

The Chief Minister said his Government welcomed IT/ITeS companies which has the potential to provide huge employment opportunities to the educated youth of the State. The 500-acre `Techno City' being developed in the outskirts of the city would be able to provide jobs to nearly 50,000 people.

According to Mr Kurian, Technopark is currently full and the Government is arranging more space for big companies looking to invest in the State.
Source: The Business Line

The CM also said that -
The formalities for acquiring 500 acres of land for Technocity will be completed within a week. [Only]Thirty-seven families will be evicted as per the rules for implementing the project.
Source: The Hindu


Technocity is, by far, the largest IT project in Kerala and one of the biggest in India, closely followed by the 350-acre Technopark. It is estimated that Technocity can create close to 100,000 jobs when compared to the relatively smaller TP which is all set to breach the 50,000 mark by 2010. :)
 
#44 ·
Technocity Layout

This is a tentative layout of the massive 500 acre Technocity project being developed by Technopark with private participation. This layout is part of a presentation available on the TP site. :)



The state's largest IT project is all set to take off post the elections. It will reaffirm Trivandrum's status as Kerala's IT hub. And this is not fiction....:D
 
#45 ·
Ajai,

Looks too good to be true. Oommen and his gang could not do it (rather did not want to do it;otherwise why did they run after Dubai sheikhs?). Will Achu Ammavan's age old beliefs and political convictions permit such a project which symbolises all that the western imperialism stands for. That their ideological gurus in china as well as writer's building have since long abandoned the outdated ideology , is not good enough for our comrades to come to their senses.(going by some of their actions and pronouncements)

Let's hope that better sense will prevail on whoever is selected by our "janta" to decide their destiny.
Let technocity be a dream come true for the much neglected, much sidelined city of TVM.
K.Ashok
 
#46 ·
Hi Ashok, you are right the present GoK had little sincere interest in the project, since it would have been a death blow to their own pet project, with the sheikhs. That the pet project has now been scrapped is a different matter. :bash:

The LDF is not as anti-development as you think. Bengal is a case which is often quoted, but an even better case is Kerala itself, particularly Technopark. It was started by an LDF Govt. and more recently all the pressure to get SEZ status for TP was from the LDF, most notably Mr. M. Vijayakumar, who is strongly tipped to be the next IT Minister. :)

He is also the proponent of an IT Corridor for Trivandrum. So there is a lot to look forward to. The LDF's opposition to Technocity has only been due to some confusion about the extent of land acquisition, and this will soon be sorted out. :)
 
#47 ·
Ajay, good layout..

I seems that there could be skyscrapers in the level of 30-50 floors in this campus. Since Land area is not much, about 500 acres, there could be really tall buildings, esp for residential use. Since, it is at a pretty good distance from Airport, say 25km, it would be possible. Anyway 20-25 floors are possible and happening near Technopark, the highest AMSL permissible is about 80-85 m at Technopark side.

Moreover biggies like Raheja, L &T have evinced interest in this public private partnership. We can hope to see this north part of City going high..

Ajaypp said:
 
#48 ·
sudheeshnairs said:
Ajay, good layout..

I seems that there could be skyscrapers in the level of 30-50 floors in this campus. Since Land area is not much, about 500 acres, there could be really tall buildings, esp for residential use. Since, it is at a pretty good distance from Airport, say 25km, it would be possible. Anyway 20-25 floors are possible and happening near Technopark, the highest AMSL permissible is about 80-85 m at Technopark side.

Moreover biggies like Raheja, L &T have evinced interest in this public private partnership. We can hope to see this north part of City going high..
Wow!! I did not check this thread till today. A toast to the plans!! :cheers:

VS should not create a fuss, since he is an old-timey Leftist and is big on "State controlled enterprises" and this is project-managed by none other than State Govt.

Sudheesh, I am a bit averse to any skyscrapers or anything taller than 20-25 floors, particularly if the area of each floor is not substantial enough to support extensive emergency evacuation mechanisms. This view point was confirmed to me, by the WTC 911 evacuation difficulties. I saw how really fit and trained firemen over here had trouble reaching the upper floors of WTC, to help evacuate (the elevators are immediately off-limits).

So relax, 500 acres is a lot of land, man!! Even if it is all 10 floor tall buildings, we are talking about Terrabyte grade office spaces :)
 
#49 ·
High ain't bad....

PC, while I admit that sticking to the TP model - greenery and midrises - is an attractive proposition, a few real skyscrapers would be nice. Instead of the 20-25 floor pretenders we have right now.

As I understand, the plan is to have high-rises, for the residential components so as to minimise the area required for this sector and maximise the IT/Industrial segments.

With players like L&T, the Raheja Group, Mahindra and others in the game, 30-50 floors will be no surprise, as taall buildings are the bread and butter of these realty giants. :)
 
#50 ·
Ajaypp said:
PC, while I admit that sticking to the TP model - greenery and midrises - is an attractive proposition, a few real skyscrapers would be nice. Instead of the 20-25 floor pretenders we have right now.

As I understand, the plan is to have high-rises, for the residential components so as to minimise the area required for this sector and maximise the IT/Industrial segments.

With players like L&T, the Raheja Group, Mahindra and others in the game, 30-50 floors will be no surprise, as taall buildings are the bread and butter of these realty giants. :)
Still have a disagreement over 30-50 floor buildings in an area not lacking in space. But as long as they are safe and made like the innovative design for the new airport terminal, I am fine :cheers:
 
#51 ·
Lol...PC, buildings define a city in many cases. A metropolitan Trivandrum needs a few skyscrapers to complement its already rich architectural portfolio. TC is one of the places where buildings are not forced to literally "kneel" due to the proximity of the Airport. :)
 
Top