Check out how Kochi is shining!
Kochi, the Queen of Arabian Sea, which has been a shadow
of its past for a long time, is now in the limelight as
one of the most actively emerging cities not only in India
but in South Asia.
A host of development projects are likely to transform
Kochi into a key centre of development in South India.
An estimated investment of Rs 25,000 crore (Rs 250
billion), both public and private, is in the pipeline
seeking to make it an emerging hub of IT and sea-based
industries.
According to chief minister Oommen Chandy, sanctions
had been accorded for investment of Rs 16,000 crore
(Rs 160 billion) in and around Kochi over the next five
years by the Centre.
He added that of the Rs 22,000 crore (Rs 220 billion)
central investment proposed in Kerala, Rs 16,000 crore
has been earmarked for Kochi alone.
The development of Kochi is really based on Vypin island
as the most important projects have been proposed there.
The Vallarpadam International Container Terminal (VICT)
is the flagship project of Kochi for which a road is
being built and work on a rail link will start soon.
This Rs 1,800 crore (Rs 18 billion) project is being
constructed by Dubai Port International (DPI) and as
part of the agreement DPI is now operating the Rajiv
Gandhi Container Terminal (RGCT).
The Rs 7,500 crore (Rs 75 billion) project for setting
up the first port-based special economic zone will be
a major turning point in the development of both Kochi
and Kerala. This will be established at Vallarpadam
as part of the international container terminal.
The chief minister had announced that the foundation
stone for the proposed LNG terminal will be laid by
the prime minister on November 1.
After Dahej, the second LNG project, proposed to set
up at Puthuvype, will be a shot in the arm to development
of Kerala and for industries in South India.
The project, promoted by Petronet LNG, will receive
imported natural gas of 5 million tonne from Qatar and
Iran and envisages a total investment of Rs 3,000 crore
(Rs 30 billion).
The work on a single buoy mooring (SBM) project offshore
by Kochi Refineries Limited (KRL) will commence soon,
according to KRL sources. The project with a total outlay
of Rs 750 crore (Rs 7.50 billion) will help the refinery
drastically cut down crude shipment cost.
Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) also proposes
to invest around Rs 3,500 crore (Rs 35 billion) and
its major initiative is setting up a petrochemical complex
at the Kochi division of FACT by using natural gas.
The Kochi-Kannur-Bangalore gas pipeline at an estimated
investment of Rs 750 crore (Rs 7.50 billion) and an
LNG supply network for Kochiites for domestic consumption
are the other projects in the pipeline.
Indicating a new era in the IT development of Kerala,
Dubai Internet City had already signed an MoU with the
state government for setting up a smart city at Kakkanad
near Kochi. The formal agreement for the project will
be signed by December, the chief minister said recently.
The proposed project envisages creating 33,000 jobs
and will show case almost all the major IT companies
of the world.
The Centre proposes to transform Kochi Shipyard into
one of the largest and most modern ship building centres
in Asia in line with Korea and Japan. Shipping minister
T R Balu had stated the facilities at the yard will
be improved and a new ship building unit will be established
either at the same premises or near Vallarpadam terminal.
Since Kochi is one of the most fascinating tourist
spots in Kerala, both the Kerala government and Kochi
Port Trust (KPT) are keen on the development of its
tourism infrastructure. In association with Trans Resources
Corporation of Malaysia, Kerala Tourism Development
Corporation (KTDC), a marina will be established at
Kochi.
According to K C Venugopal, tourism minister, the Rs
50 crore (Rs 500 million) JV will be ready in six months.
As more luxury liners come to Kochi, KPT will build
a berth of international standard exclusively for passenger
ships. There is also a proposal by the tourism department
for an international standard golf course at Vallarpadam.
The Kochi metro rail project is another key initiative
aimed at improving the mass transportation system in
Kochi and the process is at an advanced stage now. A
number of private investment proposals are also on the
anvil, especially in the IT sector.
Infosys and the Leela group are the major players in
setting up campuses in Kochi. A lot of small and medium
IT companies are also starting their units. An Italian
company is also in the process of setting up an apparel
park at the KINFRA park near Kakkanad.
It is almost certain that Smart City project will also
get the status of special economic zone as the DIC is
keen on getting the status. The declaration of Aroor,
Cherthala areas as town of excellence by the Centre
will boost the marine export industry and will be an
added advantage to the development of Kochi.
The development and diversification plans of Kochi
Refinery and FACT are the other major development initiatives
of Kerala and Kochi will be the major economic centre
of India within a short period.
Outsourcing
Partners at Kochi |
Cost Advantage
| Start
Business in Kerala | Kerala's
IT Policy |
Technology Focus
|
