Chandy announces Rs 1k-cr development scheme for Technopark

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today announced a Rs 997.65-crore comprehensive development project to assist the Technopark and its satellite centres here in infrastructure development, land acquisition and marketing over the next five years.
The project would cover the Technopark's phase-I, phase-II and phase-III campuses, Technocity and the Kollam Technopark, the satellite centre, he said.
He was speaking after inaugurating a function at Technopark campus to honour the visionaries and the administrators behind India's first and the largest IT Park.
"The project will be approved by the government soon," he said.
Referring to the proposed Rs 1,500 crore investment project by IT giant Taurus in Technopark's phase-III campus, Chandy said it had been approved by the Ministry and the construction activities would commence immediately.

"The huge development scheme combined with the large scale investments will make a big-leap in Kerala's IT industry," he added.

Addressing the concerns raised by several stakeholders of Technopark, IT and Industries minister, PK Kunhalikkutty, who presided over the function, announced the decision to roll back the rent hike in the Park.
"Technopark's development model, which is the biggest and the brightest success story of Kerala, could be replicated and in several other fields," he added.
Technopark founder CEO G Vijaya Raghavan, also a member of the state planning board, went down the memory lane to recollect the story behind the Technopark.

"The concept of Technopark originates in a 1989 meeting held at the Government Guest House in Thycaudu and the credit goes to three great visionaries - the then Chief Minister E K Nayanar, K R Gowri Amma and K P P Nambiar," he said.
Recollecting some initial issues with trade unions, he said that Technopark had always been 'fair and firm' on the labour issues.
"The entire project had always been seen beyond political affiliations, and all successive governments supported Technopark in a big way."
On the occasion, 'Prathidwani', a forum of Technopark employees, handed over to Chief Minister a letter of consent signed by 1,000 employees volunteering for organ donation.

"The forum began their campaign just few days back and the number of volunteers is expected to touch 3,000 in the next two days," said Technopark CEO KG Girish Babu.