KOCHI: The government has appointed Shaji V Nair, the current CEO of Cochin Smart Mission Ltd, as the nodal officer for the land pooling process of the Infopark Phase III project. This project covers approximately 500 acres and is anticipated to accelerate the land pooling procedures.
Previously, the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) requested the government to appoint a nodal officer for the land pooling initiative. The authority has already identified specific land parcels designated for pooling for the proposed Phase III campus, with around 300 acres in the Kizhakkambalam panchayat earmarked for the integrated IT township.
GCDA officials stated that the land identification process is currently underway, utilizing Google Maps data and prioritizing barren lands that do not contain houses or structures. “We have commenced the process of identifying the precise land parcels to be pooled in Kizhakkambalam panchayat. A meeting with landowners will be arranged in the near future. Following the meeting, the authority will publish a land pooling notification, formally detailing the parcels to be pooled for the project,” a GCDA source commented.
The Phase III project is being executed jointly by GCDA and Infopark under a Memorandum of Understanding that designates GCDA with the responsibility of land identification. Land pooling involves a group of landowners collectively surrendering their parcels for public projects or infrastructure development. After the reorganization and development of the plots, owners receive back 60% of their original land, with its value potentially increasing three to four times.
While GCDA will oversee the land-pooling process, Infopark retains ownership of the project. The initiative is expected to draw an investment of ₹25,000 crore and aims for completion by 2030.
