Govt Tidel Park Or KGISL Tech Park ??

Work apace at India Land KGISL Tech Park at the 150-acre IT SEZ at Saravanampatti, Coimbatore. “What’s happening to the much publicised Government mooted IT park in Coimbatore? When will the construction finish?” is a common poser these days. Eight years have gone by in projecting the city as an ideal IT destination and six years since, identifying the land for the proposed Tidel Park here. The project, though, is still only on paper.

In the early days of this proposed project, 29 acres were transferred from the Health Department to the IT Department. Thereafter, Elcot acquired an additional 33 acres near the Medical College campus here, as the Government planned to develop social infrastructure projects.

This SEZ IT Park, when ready, will offer one million sq.ft space. The estimated investment on this project was pegged at Rs 200-250 crore a year ago. If one looks up the Tidel Park, Coimbatore, Web site, there is only a mention of the site development work in progress and the park is, ‘expected to become functional by mid-2008.’ In the early part of 2007, Elcot officials had said that the project would be complete and functional within 18 months of commencement of activity. It does not appear so, as there is no sign of construction activity yet. But issues relating to contract obligations between Elcot and the Private contractor have resulted in the matter being taken to Court.

The region, meanwhile, caught the local entrepreneurs’ attention. Real-estate prices sky- rocketed, land became scarce and private initiatives started to take off. Coimbatoreans, generally considered proactive, did not wait for the Government to initiate the process. KGISL was one of the earliest ventures to take off. The company established a technology park on a 50-acre land as early as 1994. The project came up on the outskirts, at Saravanampatti, which was then undeveloped. Recalling the development, KGISL’s Vice-President (Corporate Relations), Mr B Jayamurali, said “there were apprehensions about availability of talent pool, but not any more. Today, there is dearth of space, infrastructure.” The one million sq.ft KGISL Park houses the promoter group companies such as KGFSL and KG Aerotech, apart from Perot Systems, Bosch and Cognizant Technology Solutions.

Kumaraguru College of Technology (KCT) located near the KGISL campus in Saravanampatti has established an IT Park within its campus. This one is a landmark structure, a replication of the Vidhana Soudha, the landmark structure in Bangalore, housing both — the legislative chambers and the State administration. The first phase of this project in an expanse of over 2.5 lakh sq.ft is complete. Cognizant and Spheris occupy about 1.5 lakh sq.ft space. The second phase is nearing completion and is expected to be handed over to clients within the next couple of months. KCT Joint Correspondent, Mr A Selvakumar, said that letters of intent had already been signed for 70 per cent of the 2-lakh sq.ft space. “It is a non-SEZ space, promoted by the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI)” he clarified.

While KGISL and KCT Parks led the way and gave a fillip to the region’s economy, the city’s rise to the international stage is yet to happen. The KGISL Group has this time joined hands with India Land Ventures, part of the Americorp Group of Spain, to promote India Land KGISL Tech Park at the IT SEZ at Saravanampatti. The first tower of this Rs 320-crore project is expected to be ready in August. ILVL would hold a 70 per cent stake in the JV, while KGISL would invest in land. “We expect a lead-time of three months between one block/tower and another. By July 2009, all four blocks would be ready,” says Mr Jayamurali.

The super built-up area of India Land KGISL Tech Park is expected at around 1.8 million sq.ft, spread in four self-sustaining towers. “It will be a high-rise building with nine levels, have separate utility service building, landscaped area and adequate car and two-wheeler parking space,” Mr Jayamurali said. Singapore-based Precast Construction has been engaged in the construction of this tech park. “About 150 acres is available for processing under this SEZ. We are, however, looking to acquire additional land for support infrastructure and make the location self sufficient,” he said, adding “Saravanampatti area is emerging as both — an educational hub and IT corridor.”

To reduce pressure on infrastructure, the promoters have brought water from Velliankaadu, allocated separate space of about 2.5 acres for setting up a TNEB sub-station. On bookings, he said “we have bookings for the first tower. IT companies want to see the space before making a commitment, and this is not unusual.” While the city is still any entrepreneur’s dream, it continues to remain a city where family bonds are strong and a fusion of the traditional and the modern — its secret to success.

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