- Cyberpark
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Cyberpark, Kozhikode 
Type Government Owned Industry Information Technology Business Park Genre Infrastructure Service Provider Headquarters Kozhikode, Kerala, India Key people Mr. Binu A Pazhoor, CEO Owner(s) Government of Kerala Website www.cyberparkkerala.org Cyberpark Kozhikode is a Government of Kerala organization planned in the lines of Technopark at Thiruvananthapuram and Infopark in Kochi to build, operate and manage IT parks for the promotion and development of investment in IT and ITES industries in the Malabar region of Kerala.
It was registered under the Societies Act 1860 on 28 January 2009.
Cyberpark is owned by the Government of Kerala and is headed by a Chief Executive Officer. In addition to this, it has a General Body and a Board of Governors, both of which include top officials of the government.
The Cyberpark is the third IT hub in Kerala, the other two being the Technopark at Thiruvananthapuram and the Infopark in Kochi. In accordance with the Hub and Spokes Model proposed by the Kerala Government to promote IT parks in Kerala, the park is being developed as:
Cyberpark Kozhikode- HUB
43 acres (170,000 m2) of land at Nellikode will be notified under SEZ for investors. The first phase of the project is expected to be ready for allotment by March 2011.
Contents
Cyberpark Kannur- SPOKE
Cyberpark proposes to set up an IT / ITES park in Kannur as its first spoke as SEZ for the overall development of IT industry in the Malabar region in general and Kannur district in particular. It is expected that implementation of an IT Park with state-of-art infra-structure facilities and professional administration will attract several major players of the industry to come and establish their business here which in turn will give an impetus for the sustained growth of this traditionally backward region.
26.54 acres (107,400 m2) of land at Eramom in Taliparamba Taluk have already received SEZ notification. The first phase of the project is expected to be ready for allotment by March 2011.
Out of the 25.64 acres (103,800 m2) available for SEZ development, 20 acres (81,000 m2) will be classified as Processing Area. The balance area will be Non-processing zone and will be leased out to create common infrastructure facilities like banks, commercial establishments, executives’ hostel etc. The total area of plot that can be leased out after providing for road and other infrastructure is estimated to be 20 acres (81,000 m2).
Out of the 20 acres (81,000 m2), 3 acres (12,000 m2) are earmarked for the construction of a 1.50 Lakh square foot IT Building complex by Cyber Park. The balance 17 acres (69,000 m2) of land is available for leasing to IT/ITeS industries. The Cyberpark Administrative office complex containing a convention center, the Development Commissioner’s office, etc. will also be constructed therein. Total land area in the SEZ available for out side lease is 17 acres. This area is proposed to be divided in to convenient land parcels of 1.75 acres (7,100 m2) to 4 acres (16,000 m2).
About 2,000,000 sq ft (190,000 m2) of IT business space can be provided in the park where an estimated 20,000 IT professionals will work. Though maximum permissible FAR for Government owned IT Park is 3.25, the FAR considered is only 2.10. Similarly against 40% foot print coverage permissible, only 20 % is proposed. This will ensure a vast expanse of open space. This combined with well planned landscaping and greenery is expected to create an IT park which is unique in its tranquil village beauty and serene ambience.
Cyberpark- Kasargod- SPOKE
Cyberpark will set up its second spoke in Cheemeni Village in the Southern Taluk of Hosdurg in Kasargod District. 100 acres (0.40 km2) of land at Cheemeni in Kasaragod are being transferred from the Plantation Board to the IT Department and will be notified under SEZ for investors. 100 acres (0.40 km2) of land at Cheemeni in Kasaragod are being transferred from the Plantation Board to the IT Department and will be notified under SEZ for investors. Its first phase will be ready for allotment by July 2011. More details of the space allotment can be had from the Cyberpark web site. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed by March 2011, with at least 1 lakh square feet of finished space ready for occupancy. The proposed park is situated approximately midway between Mangalore and Kozhikode airports. The upcoming Kannur International Airport is about 45 km from the park. The added advantage of the specific location is that the land handed over by the Plantation Corporation is free of any residences or vegetation. Hence the park can be developed without any disturbance to humans or the eco system.
Cyberpark Kasargod will have self-contained facilities required for modern days living including:
• Eco-friendly buildings with energy efficient layouts and interiors • Fully furnished incubators to support start-up SME initiatives • Wide driveways and well-designed walkways • Adequate recreation facilities • Banks, ATMs, Food Courts and Food kiosks in the campus • Day care facilities • Essential warehouse facilities for hardware storage • Scientifically implemented waste collection and disposal systems • Reprography and internet centers • Emergency management systems including ambulances • Healthcare, gym, pharmacy and related services • Utility services like travel/tourism counters, courier and post office • Rainwater harvesting, in-house water purification plant, and dedicated water line from the Kerala Water Authority ensuring uninterrupted water supply • 100% electricity back-up
History
In January 2007, the Government of Kerala announced its decision to promote Kozhikode as an IT hub. The proposal to set up an IT park in Kozhikode came in the announcement of the State Government's IT policy made by Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan.
Soon after the proposal, a convention under the auspices of Calicut IT Initiative (CITI) in Kozhikode was organized. The CITI includes representatives of the Malabar Chamber of Commerce, Calicut Forum for IT (CAFIT), IIM-Kozhikode, Calicut Management Association, Kerala Builders Forum and NIT-Calicut among others. The name Cyberpark was suggested by the convention.
An appeal was also made to the Calicut Corporation to include the IT Park in the master plan that was being prepared for the city.
At this convention, many companies, including IBS, US Technology, NeST Software, Leela Group, and Finpro Business Solutions offered to set up their units in the Kozhikode IT unit.
By March 2008, official sources pointed out that already over 10 companies have shown interest in starting their organizations in this IT Park.
Mission
Cyberpark aims at being an eco-friendly state-of-the-art facility with all modern amenities promoting a greener Kerala and preserving the traditions of the state. Its mission is to provide top class infrastructure facilities to investors from around the world to come in and operate from it, by enjoying the advantages of low cost infrastructure, large pool of skilled resources, and better quality of living, thus enabling them to deliver the most innovative and cost effective value-added solutions to their end-clients and sustain in a globally competitive market.
Expenditure
The Government expenditure towards the land acquisition for Cyberpark is estimated to be around 43 crore INR and another 250 crore INR over the next two years for providing necessary infrastructure and construction of buildings. Besides, the spoke-parks in Kannur and Kasaragod are estimated to cost 150 crore INR each, spread over a five-year period.
Infrastructure
Cyberpark will feature the following options to its investors:
- Warm shell: Completely built-up space and ready for plug-and-play operations. (Ideal for small to medium sized investors)
- Raw Shell: Completely built-up structure and basic infrastructure facilities, enabling the investor to furnish based on their specs (Ideal for medium to large scale investors)
- Land: Provides an option for the investor to lease an extend of land for setting up their own campus within the park.
Private IT Parks
The UL Cyberpark is a private park being set up by Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS) Limited, and is part of the Cyberpark Umbrella. It is proposed to be all set by 2011.
Despite being the first IT Park in Kozhikode, it is also Malabar’s first IT Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and Kerala’s first fully green LEED certified IT Park.
UL CyberPark is planned as a 25-acre (100,000 m2) IT sector specific SEZ. Over 70% of the land will be utilized for the processing area and around 27% of the land for non-processing and residential purposes.
Employment Opportunities
At full capacity, the Cyberpark is expected to provide direct employment to 30000 IT professionals. It will have facilities to accommodate 30000 middle class, income-tax-paying people with an average disposable income 20000 INR per month.
However, it is expected to generate employment opportunities for up to 2500 resources during 2011-2012.
Kozhikode-Value Proposition
Kozhikode has very low residential and commercial rental rates with easy availability which is a big value proposition for any company that is looking to expand in this region.
There is no shortage of quality human resources as Calicut University alone has 262 affiliated colleges including 23 Engineering/Technical Colleges, 5 Medical Colleges, 2 Dental Colleges, and 8 Pharmacy Colleges. A number of finishing schools are being set up in Kozhikode; some of them are already operational, thus providing an excellent human resource base. Also the IIM- K (Indian Institute of Management- Kozhikode) and NIT (National Institute of Technology), which are among India’s best professionals’ databases, are located near to Kozhikode city. Finding a professional who match the need, will therefore, be very easy at Kozhikode.
All the major Internet providers like BSNL, Reliance, Tata, Airtel, Asianet etc.provide their services in Kozhikode. Broadband and leased line facilities are also available with uninterrupted service. Power supply at Kozhikode is also the best that is available in Malabar region, with the Nallam Diesel Plant of KSEB as a back-up option.
Kozhikode has all the major facilities like International Airport, Sea port, Rail connectivity and well connected road transport. The IT city Bangalooru is in near proximity to Kozhikode. Kozhikode is also blessed with attractive beach and beautiful natural picnic spots and it is very near to Wayanad which is a major attraction for the tourists. The IT centre at Cheemeni, Kasaragod is only one hour’s drive from Mangalore city.
With rising costs and shrinking margins, no IT company can afford to miss an opportunity to expand into newer and emerging areas. Kozhikode, with its knowledge centers, workspaces, and infrastructure, housing and leisure options provides a professional the perfect mix of work and recreation.
Kannur-Value Proposition
Kannur district has had industrial importance from very early days. Blessed with a variety of factors such as good soil, salubrious climate, rich forests, minerals as well as excellent infrastructural facilities like road, rail, inland water transport and the upcoming International Airport, the district offers ample scope for further industrial development. Nevertheless, Kannur has only one major and five mini industrial estates. Keltron Complex at Mangattuparamba and Western India Plywoods at Valappattanam are the two major industries. The district has 12 medium-scale industries, most of which are either cotton textile or plywood manufacturing.
Handloom Textiles, beedi and coir are the important traditional industries here. Kannur, Thalassery, Payyannur, Taliparamba and Edakkad have been identified as growth centers, having potential for industrial development.
When it comes to Education and R & D, Kannur houses six medical colleges, including Pariyaram Medical College which is the first private sector medical college in the state. There are a number of engineering colleges in the district which includes the Government College of Engineering, Kannur. Other promintent institutes in Kannur include the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), and Government Brennen College. A large share of Kannur’s primary and secondary schools are run either by government or by charitable trusts and individuals. The schools are affiliated to Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE), Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), or Kerala State Board. English is the medium of instruction in most private schools.
The existing IT Activities in Kannur include a software park set up in the district in 1999 under the name of Dinesh Information Technology Systems (DITS). Other IT companies in and around the city are IT Bee Software, Finetouch Solutions, Crayons Creations, Syosys Technologies, Sivam Design etc.
Kasaragod- Value Proposition
Kasaragod has vast potentials for the establishment of large and medium industries, though at present there is no major industry. The district houses three medical colleges and a number of engineering institutes. Other major institutes include Headquarters of Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, LBS training center, College of Pharmacy etc.
A large share of Kasargod’s primary and secondary schools are run either by government or by charitable trusts and individuals. The schools are each affiliated with Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE), Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), or Kerala State Board. English is the medium of instruction in most private schools.
At present there is no major IT initiative in the district. But the situation will change with the Cyberpark coming up.
External links
Categories:- Science parks in India
- Information technology organisations
- Industries based in Kerala
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