Gods Own Country becomes smarter in IT
Kerala, the gods own country, has taken a leap forward in Information Technology, finding a place in the global IT map with the Smart City project becoming a reality. The foundation stone for the ''Smart City'' was laid jointly by Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan and Smart City Executive Director Farid Abdul Rahman. With this Kerala, the southern state in India which was till known for its tourist spots, is all set to take a big leap in knowledge-based industry.
The project, first major FDI in the IT sector in the state, would spread over in an area of 8.8 million square feet, of which 70 per cent would be for IT and its enabled services. To be modelled along the lines of the Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City, Smart City is going to be home to the best IT companies
from India and abroad.
Smart City, envisaged to create about 90,000 jobs in ten years, would be set up on 246 acre of land which would be given to TECOM by the state government on lease for 99 years. The Kerala Government will initially have a 16 per cent stake in the project, which will be increased to 26 per cent within five years.
It was in 2004 that the then Congress-led United Democratic Front Government led by Mr A K Antony proposed the project and his successor Mr Oommen Chandy signed an MoU. But the Communist -led Left Democratic Front, who are now in the ruling while in Opposition, had raised concerns over the deal and said that it was not favourable to the state. The UDF Government was close to signing an agreement in early 2006 but it was challenged in the Kerala High Court and the Congress lost the Assembly elections.
The LDF Government successfully renegotiated and an agreement was almost reached in September 2006. However, it hit roadblocks again as some officials negotiating for the state toughened their stand
and raised fresh demands. The talks resumed in February 2007. Chief Minister Achuthanadan's tough negotiating skills came to the fore in driving a hard bargain with TECOM authorities.
''Smart City'' is also seen as a moral victory for Mr Achuthanandan as he had earlier opposed the terms of the project worked out by the Congress-led United Democratic Front Government - a stance which was seen as anti-development. The IT project was also thought to have been shelved after the Communists came to power. This is also the first mega investment that the LDF had brought into the State. Mr Achutanandan and his Communist government had proved the Congress wrong in view of development.
The state currently has Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram and Infopark in Kochi as two IT infrastructure facilities. The Smart City is expected to give a tremendous makeover to the state's image
as an IT destination.
Kerala, the gods own country, has taken a leap forward in Information Technology, finding a place in the global IT map with the Smart City project becoming a reality. The foundation stone for the ''Smart City'' was laid jointly by Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan and Smart City Executive Director Farid Abdul Rahman. With this Kerala, the southern state in India which was till known for its tourist spots, is all set to take a big leap in knowledge-based industry.
The project, first major FDI in the IT sector in the state, would spread over in an area of 8.8 million square feet, of which 70 per cent would be for IT and its enabled services. To be modelled along the lines of the Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City, Smart City is going to be home to the best IT companies
from India and abroad.
Smart City, envisaged to create about 90,000 jobs in ten years, would be set up on 246 acre of land which would be given to TECOM by the state government on lease for 99 years. The Kerala Government will initially have a 16 per cent stake in the project, which will be increased to 26 per cent within five years.
It was in 2004 that the then Congress-led United Democratic Front Government led by Mr A K Antony proposed the project and his successor Mr Oommen Chandy signed an MoU. But the Communist -led Left Democratic Front, who are now in the ruling while in Opposition, had raised concerns over the deal and said that it was not favourable to the state. The UDF Government was close to signing an agreement in early 2006 but it was challenged in the Kerala High Court and the Congress lost the Assembly elections.
The LDF Government successfully renegotiated and an agreement was almost reached in September 2006. However, it hit roadblocks again as some officials negotiating for the state toughened their stand
and raised fresh demands. The talks resumed in February 2007. Chief Minister Achuthanadan's tough negotiating skills came to the fore in driving a hard bargain with TECOM authorities.
''Smart City'' is also seen as a moral victory for Mr Achuthanandan as he had earlier opposed the terms of the project worked out by the Congress-led United Democratic Front Government - a stance which was seen as anti-development. The IT project was also thought to have been shelved after the Communists came to power. This is also the first mega investment that the LDF had brought into the State. Mr Achutanandan and his Communist government had proved the Congress wrong in view of development.
The state currently has Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram and Infopark in Kochi as two IT infrastructure facilities. The Smart City is expected to give a tremendous makeover to the state's image
as an IT destination.
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