Kochi: Infopark Phase III Faces Land Pooling Challenges

31 Dec 2024 CW Team

The highly anticipated Phase III township campus of Infopark in the Kunnathunadu constituency of Kochi is encountering a new obstacle, as the land pooling regulations regarding land acquisition remain unclear.

The government had planned to implement the 300-acre project using land pooling, where landowners would receive 60% of the original land post-project implementation, with the land's value increasing by three to four times.

This expansion of Infopark is the first such project in the state to utilise land pooling. The government issued an order appointing GCDA (Greater Cochin Development Authority) to oversee land pooling in the Kizhakkambalam panchayat. GCDA and Infopark identified private land for setting up the new campus, and a workshop was held to discuss the land pooling method.

In January, the state government notified land pooling rules for acquisition procedures. However, a GCDA official noted confusion regarding some aspects of the rules, and amendments will be required before proceeding with the land pooling process. "We are waiting for the amendments, after which we can move forward," the official said.

The demand for the third Infopark campus has been long-standing, as the Phase I and II campuses are fully occupied. Over 120 companies are currently on the waiting list, hoping for space in Infopark. Presently, 582 companies operate within the park, employing more than 70,000 individuals.

The government aims to attract an investment of Rs 12,000 crore and generate over one lakh jobs through the development of Phase III.

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