Curation Team
KOCHI: Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) initiated procedures to publish the notification for land pooling for the much-awaited Phase III of Infopark
GCDA is planning to pool nearly 1,000 acres to establish the new campus across 300 acres in Kizhakkambalam and Kunnathunadu villages of the district. The project will be the first land-pooling project in Kerala.
Govt tasked GCDA with land pooling through an order last year. Following this, GCDA engaged in discussions with Infopark at various stages, conducted site inspections and began efforts to identify suitable land. However, GCDA faced technical hurdles as the identified lands were outside GCDA’s jurisdiction. The authority approached govt, which subsequently issued an order last month assigning GCDA a special task for land pooling in the area.
The first step for land pooling is issuing an initial notification by determining the suitable land. The area intended for pooling, along with details including survey numbers, will be published with the help of a boundary map. Subsequently, a meeting of landowners in the area will be convened to present the project details.
If 75% of total landowners agree to pooling, GCDA will proceed with the project. Following this, a draft project document will be prepared for govt approval. After gathering public opinions and necessary changes, the final project document will be prepared before commencing work. After implementing projects on the pooled land, a specified percentage of land will be returned to landowners. If 75% of landowners do not consent, steps will be initiated to identify other suitable land, said GCDA authorities.
A press note issued by GCDA on Monday said Phase III campus will feature six key components: carbon neutrality, self-sufficiency in water resources, a complete waste management system, road, rail and airport connectivity, an inclusive IT park and a maintenance system that doesn’t disrupt the functioning of IT companies. Besides IT companies, there will be residential facilities, commercial establishments, sports and cultural facilities, recreational areas, hospitals and educational institutions, it said.
