Infoparks: Work of first IT complex to begin

KOCHI: The construction of the first building of Infopark Phase-II will start soon. The Board of Governors, Infoparks Kerala, has  approved the award of work for the first IT building complex, with an estimated project worth Rs. 80 crore. A Letter of Intent was issued to Chennai-based  East Cost Constructions Industries (ECCI) for the piling, civil, structural, plumbing, interior fit out of common areas and fire fighting. The building will have a total area of 4 lakh sqft and will house over 4000 professionals. The foundation stone for the IT and BPO complex was laid in February.The project, with an estimated cost of Rs. 80 crore, is expected to be functional in 15 months. Chennai-based Pithavadian and Partners are the architects and detailed engineering consultant for the project. The second phase of Infopark is being developed on 160 acres of land at the Kunnathunadu and Puthencruz villages. The domestic park in the new phase is aimed at creating cost-effective infrastructure for the BPO industry. On completion, the park is expected to provide employment to up to 80,000-90,000 professionals. The state government has allocated Rs. 50 crore towards infrastructure development schemes for Phase II. The master plan undertaken by Cannon design USA, envisages a green IT township on the banks of Kadambrayar River. It will have state-of-the-art facilities, including shopping arcades, town centre plaza, convention centre, women’s hostel, guest  house, facilities for rest and recreation. “Work on the development of the second phase of Infopark is moving at a fast pace. We have already started the earth-filling for the first building which is being conducted by RSP Constructions. We have begun developing the basic infrastructure facilities like substation, power distribution, internal road system, water intake, treatment and storage, data & communication connectivity, land development, compound wall, guest house and common food courts,” Infopark CEO Gigo Joseph said.He said the second phase has generated a lot of interest and enquiries have started coming from companies. The Infopark is in discussions with them and would soon be able to finalise some of them.