Dubai Kerala is set to add another IT destination to its map today with the laying of the foundation stone of Cyberpark Kannur at Pulloopara in Eramom village near Taliparamba by Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan.
The Cyberpark at Kannur will be the third IT park in the Malabar region after Cyberpark Kasaragod and Cyberpark Kozhikode.
Cyberpark Kannur is estimated to have 150,000 square feet of built-up area.
The park is being set up to attract major companies in the IT sector, and is expected to provide employment for 2,500 to 5,000 people.
Once fully completed, it will generate direct employment opportunities for 20,000 and indirect employment opportunities for 80,000.
Authorities hope that Cyberpark Kannur will add a golden feather to the infrastructure development initiatives in Kannur.
Catalyst for growth
Binu Pazhoor, CEO of Cyberpark, said: "The Cyberpark at Kannur will add another feather to the infrastructure development initiatives. It will act as a catalyst for more growth in the region.
"In addition to providing the infrastructure for IT and ITES-based industries, Cyberpark Kannur is also expected to attract other investors for residential, commercial, educational and healthcare-related projects in and around the region."
Kannur is expected to witness huge infrastructure development over the next 10 years, he said, adding that no doubt it will be one of the most sought-after destinations for any kind of investment.
He said the programme was initially planned for January 15, 2010, but was postponed in the wake of the Sabarimala tragedy.
Cyberpark Kannur is being developed by the Cyber Park Society constituted by the government of Kerala to encourage information technology initiatives in the Malabar region and will come up as a spoke of the Cyberpark at Kozhikode.
The master plan for the IT park and the design of the first IT building with a built-up area of 50,000 square feet has been finalised.
The Kerala budget 2011-12 has earmarked Rs1 billion (Dh80.5 million) for additional land acquisition for IT parks.
The Kerala State Information Technology Mission, the nodal agency for e-governance programmes in the state, will get Rs300 million, and the Trivandrum Technopark-based Indian Institute of Information Technology Management, Rs90 million.