Clear roles demarcated for Infopark, GCDA for phase-III expansion of Infopark

The government order giving in-principle approval to the third phase expansion of Infopark has clearly demarcated the responsibilities and roles of Infopark and the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA).

Infopark, as the owner, will define the vision for the new campus, including its proposed size (300 to 500 acres), key features, and the overall development as an integrated IT township with residential, commercial, sports and medical facilities. Attracting IT and ITeS companies and investments to the new campus will also be its responsibility.

While the GCDA manages the land pooling mechanics, Infopark will provide critical input for the master planning and design of the IT park and associated township elements. This includes determining the allocation of land for IT infrastructure and allied facilities. Once the land pooling and infrastructure development are complete, Infopark will be responsible for the management, operation, and maintenance of the Infopark Phase-III campus.

Considering the crucial role it played in advocating the land-pooling model for identifying land for the expansion to the government, Infopark will continue to work closely with the GCDA and other stakeholders to advance the project.

On its part, the GCDA will be the primary implementing agency for the land pooling scheme using its authority under the Kerala Town and Country Planning Act. The government have specifically assigned GCDA the responsibility to conduct land pooling for Info-park Phase III at the request of Infopark. The GCDA will identify suitable land for the scheme in consultation with Infopark.

The GCDA will facilitate discussions with landowners, explain the land pooling model, and secure their voluntary consent. This includes managing the process, whereby landowners receive a percentage of their developed land back. The GCDA will conduct detailed surveys of the pooled land and oversee its consolidation for comprehensive planning.

Infopark shall engage the GCDA for planning and developing the necessary infrastructure (roads, utilities, and public amenities) within the pooled area. The GCDA will oversee the reconstitution of the land into developed plots and their redistribution to the original landowners. It will also ensure that the land pooling process strictly adheres to the Kerala Land Pooling Guidelines and Rules as well as other relevant regulations.