KOCHI: The Infopark Phase III project, envisioned as India’s first integrated artificial intelligence (AI) township, faces delays due to jurisdictional and legal issues related to its proposed land-pooling model. To avoid any further postponements for this carbon-negative, water-positive, and zero-waste initiative, authorities are seeking the intervention of the state government.
Specifically, they are requesting amendments to existing government orders or regulations to facilitate the land pooling process.
According to Infopark CEO Susanth Kurunthil, the primary challenge arises from the project’s location, which is situated within the local panchayats of Kizhakkambalam and Kunnathunadu, entirely outside the jurisdiction of the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA). “There are significant legal and statutory complications because the site is outside GCDA’s jurisdiction. We are in serious discussions with the new government to find out whether we need specific amendments to existing orders or modifications to the Town and Country Planning Act. Land pooling cannot be initiated until these issues are resolved,” Kurunthil told TOI.
Last year, Infopark and GCDA signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the third phase development of the IT hub. Infopark owns the project, while GCDA oversees the land pooling framework, which consolidates small plots, develops them with international infrastructure, and returns a percentage of the valuable developed land to the original owners.
The management has briefed the government about these roadblocks, noting that even considering a change in the project’s physical location is possible. The authorities are also planning to urge the government regarding delayed road connectivity projects servicing the IT hub, particularly initiatives like the proposed eight-lane Greenfield corridor connecting Vyttila to Chittethukara and the Chakkaraparambu–Vennala–Chittethukara–Infopark Road.
Infopark also plans to lease out 20 acres from the 45 acres of previously frozen land restored to them after the cancellation of the SilverLine project. “We are left with nearly 20 acres available for leasing,” Kurunthil stated. The management is currently in discussions with potential IT co-developers.
Additionally, the authorities aim to use the land to address critical infrastructure deficiencies within the 124-acre campus, with the lack of parking space being a primary concern, along with the planning of expansive food courts.
