Thiruvananthapuram: The capital city is poised for one of the biggest investment booms in its information technology (IT) sector, with a series of large public and private projects taking shape across Technopark’s Phase I, Phase III and Phase IV campuses. From Tata Consultancy Services’ landmark digital hub, a proposed private IT park at Thonnakkal and a growing pipeline of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) to new govt infrastructure, private co-developer projects and commercial developments, the city is entering a new phase of technology-led growth that is expected to strengthen its position among India’s leading IT destinations significantly.The immediate development is the establishment of technology giant Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) AI and digital innovation campus at Technopark Phase IV (Technocity), Pallippuram.
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Spread across around 25 acres with a built-up area of nearly 1.2 million sq ft, the campus is nearing completion and is expected to become operational by Sept.The project has been included in the state govt’s 100-day programme and is expected to create around 6,000 jobs in its initial phase, making it one of the largest technology investments ever made in the state. The second phase of the digital hub is also planned at the 95-acre campus soon.The state govt is also evaluating a proposal from a consortium of 10 IT companies to build an IT park with an estimated investment of Rs 5,000 crore on 50 acres of land at Thonnakkal, on the outskirts of the city. Sources in the IT department said the govt will call a meeting soon with the consortium to discuss more about the project. The consortium led by Ascend Edge Consultants has submitted a detailed project report to the IT department.Alongside the TCS project, the IT department is preparing additional infrastructure to accommodate the growing demand from multinational companies setting up Global Capability Centres. In Technopark Phase I, the prefabricated office building ‘Chaliyar’ is nearing completion and is expected to become operational within the next three to four months. The facility has been developed primarily as a plug-and-play office space to attract GCCs and enable faster occupancy by global technology companies.Meanwhile, the department is proposing another prefabricated office facility with a built-up area of around 2 lakh sq ft in Technopark Phase III. The project is currently at the design stage and is being planned to meet the increasing demand for ready-to-occupy office space from multinational IT firms and GCCs as the campus continues to witness strong occupancy.“Our priority is to create world-class infrastructure, facilitate faster project execution and build an ecosystem that supports innovation, research and Global Capability Centres. The strong interest from leading technology companies reflects the confidence investors have in Kerala’s talent pool, infrastructure and policy support,” Seeram Samba Siva Rao, Special Secretary, Electronics and Information Technology, told TOI.The govt’s expansion plans extend beyond conventional IT infrastructure. A proposed Aerospace Control System Complex over nearly 60 acres at Veli is expected to create a specialised ecosystem for aerospace and defence technologies, with part of the development proposed to accommodate technology-based GCC operations.Another major growth engine is Technopark Phase IV, where the Quad project is emerging as a flagship mixed-use development. Construction of the first phase, being developed directly by Technopark, commenced in Jan and is progressing.The second phase, comprising an IT building and commercial space, is expected to be taken up through the co-developer model, with expressions of interest proposed to be floated shortly. The project is expected to substantially expand premium office and commercial infrastructure within the campus.Technopark is also accelerating private participation across its campuses. Discussions with Caspian IT building regarding its proposed development in Phase I are understood to be nearing completion, while the proposed Meridian Tech Park by Dubai-based investors in Phase III has reached an advanced stage of planning.Recent months have also witnessed the launch of HiLite YOO-Hub at Technopark, strengthening the city’s startup and innovation ecosystem.Brigade Enterprises has secured statutory approvals for its first IT tower in Phase I as part of their World Trade Centre project, while approvals for its second IT building are expected to be pursued shortly. Brigade Square, its existing IT building inside Technopark, has already been fully leased by a single company, Healthproof, highlighting the sustained demand for Grade A office space.Several multinational companies continue to strengthen their presence in the city. Arch Global Services has established its Global Capability Centres at Technopark Phase III, while Accenture, HCLTech, and Equifax have already begun operations. Genpact Innovation Centre commenced its operations in Phase I, adding further momentum to the city’s expanding IT ecosystem.“Technopark is witnessing one of its strongest investment cycles in recent years. Demand from multinational companies, particularly Global Capability Centres, continues to grow steadily. We are expanding infrastructure through govt-led projects, enabling private co-developers and creating ready-to-occupy office facilities so that companies can establish operations in the shortest possible time,” said Sandip Kumar, CEO, Technopark.Technopark has grown to more than 540 companies employing around 84,000 professionals. As companies expand, they recruit talent from across South India, especially Tamil Nadu. Compared with Tier-I cities, Thiruvananthapuram offers lower housing costs, shorter commutes and a better work-life balance.
