Kerala's most ambitious IT infrastructure project, the 450 acre, $ 1.5 Billion Technocity has officially taken off with its first technology tenant being allotted a massive 82 acre parcel at today's Cabinet meeting.
India's biggest IT firm, Tata Consultancy Services, plans to develop a gigantic Global Training Center, or rather a University, which can churn out 10-15,000 techies in each batch! To be developed along the lines of the 1.5 million sq.ft Infosys Mysore facility, the Technocity facility would probably be even bigger and incorporates accommodation for the 15,000 trainees in each batch. Looking at the numbers that TCS is talking about, about Rs 1500 Crores on the training campus alone, we could be looking at close to 5 million sq.ft of space!
Infosys Mysore
Image Courtesy: Genial.Soul @ Forum.Xcitefun
This is probably the best vote of confidence that Trivandrum could receive as a Knowledge Destination. TCS is one of the oldest technology investors in Trivandrum with a presence here for the past 15 years or so, including its massive 500,000 sq.ft Peepul Park. By choosing Trivandrum for its biggest facility in the world, TCS has reaffirmed the city's ability to sustain massive development in the knowledge sector. What is more, TCS has promised to convert the entire campus - 40 acres - at Technopark Phase I, into a massive Development Center. Work on this project, for which the company has received all approvals, would commence as soon as the land parcel at Technocity is allotted to it. With 26 acres of SEZ space, TCS would probably bring in 15,000 IT professionals to work at this facility.
And, with the competition between the desi IT giants - TCS, Infosys, HCL and UST Global - to set up campuses in Trivandrum hotting up, the global majors are not far behind! Just as this deal has been brewing over the last few weeks, there are at least a couple of even more significant developments due to be announced over the coming weeks, which could see two of the world's biggest technology giants pick Trivandrum for their first investment in India outside the metros! Looks like the tipping point for Trivandrum is approaching.
Needless to say, stay tuned! (Any bets on how much coverage this news will get in the local media? No?!!)