Technopark's third phase launched

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 4 (UNI) The third phase of expansion of Technopark here at a cost of Rs 1,500 crore was launched today by Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan.

The inauguration was marked with the commencement of construction of the new 110 KV sub-station at the proposed site in Kulathoor.

The third phase to be operational by 2012, will be developed over 92 acres of land to be implemented as an IT/ITES Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and when completed, will provide direct employment opportunities to 35,000 IT/ITeS professionals and indirect employment to about 1,00,000.

The second phase which is already underway will provide employment to 30,000 professionals by Infosys Technologies and UST Global when this campus would be fully operational. The first phase of Infosys Technologies is expected to be operational by March 2009 in this campus.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Achuthanandan promised all support for the development of IT/ITES industry in the state.

He said besides Technopark and Kochi InfoPark, several IT parks were coming up fast in places like Kasaragod, Kannur, Ambalapuzha, Chertala and Kollam.

The SEZ expansion is being undertaken by Kerala State IT Infrastructure Ltd along with private participation by Pricewaterhouse Coopers and Mahindra with an investment of Rs 3,500 crore. The power sub-station work in the third phase of expansion will be done by Asea Brown Boveri, leader in power distribution and transmission.

Technopark CEO R K Nair said on completion of the ongoing expansion works, Technopark would emerge as one of the leading technology hubs in the world with a built up space of 10 million sq ft and a 1,00,000 workforce.

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