MEGAPROJECT: Technocity Trivandrum | 20 Mn Sq Ft SEZ

[Ajaypp]

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.

[Ajaypp]

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.

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Good news for Technocity, which will be one of the largest single IT parks in the country.

[Ajaypp]

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.

[Ajaypp]

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....

[karunakaranashok]

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

[Ajaypp]

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.

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.

[sudheeshnairs]

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..

Originally Posted by Ajaypp

[praanthan_chaannaan]

Originally Posted by sudheeshnairs

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!!

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

[Ajaypp]

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.

[praanthan_chaannaan]

Originally Posted by Ajaypp

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

[Ajaypp]

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.

[Ajaypp]

Things have been at a standstill over the past cpl of months, understandably due to the elections. Most of the formalities for land acquisition are understood to have been completed.

With a new Govt. in power and an IT-savvy minister like M Vijayakumar, as pointed out earlier, at the helm, things could be moving fast. Already, leading developers are learnt to be ready to take up land as soon as it becomes available. As we all know, Technopark Phases I, II and III - a whopping 350 acres of land - have been completely allocated or are being allocated to IT firms. So, the new destination for all those IT biggies has to be Technocity.

Keep your fingers crossed, people!

[Kannan46]

Hi All,
Now that the new govt is going to be in office soon, we must look forward to some smart moves from those in power to make the technocity a reality. Speedy action in this regard is required since the wind of IT boom now blowing will not last long or will reduce in strength partly because so many states in India and also many European and Asian countries like Vietnam are aggessively working towards reaping the fruits of boon. The earlier we act it is better. We have lost many precious months in election activities and land acquisition problems.
Hope leaders like Mr Viajayakumar and others will see the writings on the wall and contunue the good acts of the previous govt in this regard and try to win our hearts and minds by extending the reach of the technocity to Attingal and even beyond. Hope political differences will not play in this wonderful scheme and all work as Keralites with a competitive spirit.
Let us give full support to the govt in reallizing this noble project and wish the ministry all success in their functioning as a good govering body.
Let us see what this forum of ours can do to send our dreams and hopes to able and sincere leaders like Mr Vijayakumar who represent Trivandrum.
cheers!!!

[sudheeshnairs]

Yes Kannan, looking forward to the good times.

We are having high hopes with Ministers who are not old like Premachandran, M. Vijayakumar and others. Lets see what happens.

BTW, certain companies are going to have offices/campuses outside Technopark also. IVL India Pvt Ltd, a company working in the SAP domain is buying land along the NH bypass for their new development centre.

IBS has already bought 5 acres in 'Thonnakkal'. I am waiting eagerly for the perspectives, but will get it only after public announcement is made.

So the northern suburb of Trivandrum, till Attingal would be developing as an IT area, along with Technocity

[Ajaypp]

- Awesome news, Sudheesh. Yes guys, let's look forward when Tvm and Attingal will be like a Bangalore and Hosur, without the traffic and jams, of course! And later, all the way upto Kollam, integrating it into the Trivandrum Metropolitan area. Incidentally, Attingal is already encompassed in the Trivandrum Capital Region, which has a population of around 1.7 million.

[Kannan46]

hi All,
I was surprised to find the technopark thread closed.Are we going to post the news about the 2nd , 3rd and other expansion of technopark in this thread? I am sure we are going to hear a lot about IT sector in days to come.
I am just copying the news about US technolgy that came in one online newspaper.
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CM offers support to US Technology
Saturday May 20 2006 11:49 IST

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan has assured the US Technology International authorities of all reasonable support to generate as many as 15,000 jobs in the IT sector of the state.

The assurance was given during a discussion between the Chief Minister and the officials of the US Technology at his office here on Friday.

The US Technology authorities told the Chief Minister that their firm would be able to generate 15,000 jobs in the IT sector in the next five years, of which about 2,000 could be generated within a year.

They also sought the support of the government for setting up IT parks at Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi.

“The government will provide all reasonable support for the development of the sector,“ the Chief Minister told the representatives of US Technology.

The delegation comprised vice-president (HR) Niketh Sunder, vice-president (software services) Arun Narayanan and head of strategic recruitment Pradeep Gopi.

The US-based US Technologies is now operating from the Technopark here.

US Technology vice-president (software services) Arun Narayanan greeting Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan at his chamber in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday.
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As you may note that the 15000 jobs expected in US technology in the next 5 years may not be in Technopark alone as suggested by Mr Ajay in the technopark thread. They have plans to expand in Cochin also. I am not sure whether I am right in my observation. Can some one throw light on it?
Cheers!!!

[sudheeshnairs]

Kannan, Technopark Thread was closed because it has become tooooo biggg.... , with some 512 posts and 23,384 views. Perhaps it would be the thread in the projects gallery with maximum views.

Anyway there is a second part started by drwho in the projects gallery. You could post about latest news in that thread.

BTW, US Technology has already taken 36 acres of land in Technopark phase II. They are finalising the plans of the campus there and it is learnt that it some US consultant engaged with its development. When this campus become functional, it alone can have about 30000 professionals.

[Ajaypp]

Originally Posted by Kannan46

As you may note that the 15000 jobs expected in US technology in the next 5 years may not be in Technopark alone as suggested by Mr Ajay in the technopark thread. They have plans to expand in Cochin also. I am not sure whether I am right in my observation. Can some one throw light on it?
Cheers!!!

@ Kannan - Yup, a few jobs might go to Kochi and Chennai. US Tech already has a DC in Chennai. However, with its operating base and upcoming 36 acre campus in Trivandrum, the vast majority of UST's workforce will be based here.

Tvm-based co.s like UST and IBS have opened DCs elsewhere as part of their geographical diversification strategy, but their workforce is centred in Tvm. IBS, for example, is building its HQ and DC within TP, as well as a new 5 acre campus at Thonakkal, close to Attingal.

[Kannan46]

Hi All,
Today I saw a great news in Kaumudionline regarding the foundation of IBS center and a promise by the CM to see that the Technopark expansion is expedited. I am sure that if he takes drastic steps to speed up the IT revolution in the state, certainly the stigma attached to him as anti -development leader will vanish and he will command a lot of respect and support from many sections of the people.
Let me share with you the news item.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Achuthanandan assures full support to IT industry
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan Monday brought smiles to IT honchos in the state by assuring them all support from the new government.

"My government would strengthen the IT sector in the state," said Achuthanandan during his first official engagement - a visit to the Technopark campus of Kerala.

"I will see that steps are taken to speed up the acquisition of the 100 acres of land for the expansion of Technopark at the earliest," he said.

The chief minister inaugurated the IBS Campus Foundation, promoted by IBS Software Services, one of the leading software firms in the state.

"We are pleased to have the chief minister here," said IBS chairman and managing director V.K. Mathews.

"This is a positive signal and his visit is certainly going to give a boost to all in the IT industry, sending the signal that he is proactive when it comes to IT," Mathews told.

In his earlier role as the leader of opposition, Achuthanandan was dubbed by the Congress-led United Democratic Front as one against development, especially the IT industry, after he opposed the proposed Smart City project to be built by the Dubai Internet City.
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Can any one tell me what is the area of the building to be constructed by them and how much is their employment potential. When are they going to construct the building in Thonnakkal?

Cheers!!!

[sudheeshnairs]

Originally Posted by Kannan46

Can any one tell me what is the area of the building to be constructed by them and how much is their employment potential. When are they going to construct the building in Thonnakkal?
Cheers!!!

If you mean IBS, they will be having 3.25 lakhs sft inside Technopark.

At Thonnakkal they have five acres and if I remember right, some 50000 sft will be the first phase.

Today's Indian Express carries a report of visit of Technopark by VS. And it carries a photo in which VS is seing a presentation by IBS on their future plans, the screen shows some glass facade building. Hope we got a view of that at the earliest.