Infopark phase-3: GCDA to deploy dedicated team of officials for land-pooling

The Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) is set to deploy a dedicated team of officials from next week to kick-start formalities for finding land for the third-phase expansion of Infopark Kochi through land-pooling.

The government order dated October 18, 2024, designated the GCDA as the appropriate authority for the proposed land-pooling under Section 56 of the Kerala Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Act, into which land-pooling rules were incorporated through an extraordinary government gazette dated March 16, 2024. The GCDA has thus become the first local body to act as an ‘appropriate authority’ to make available land for a major project in the State under land-pooling rules.

However, the government is yet to issue an order approving the third phase expansion of Infopark despite over 100 companies continuing to wait for space after the premier IT institution exhausted space in its second phase.

“We are scanning around 1,500 acres out of which 300 acres would be identified for land-pooling based on various parameters. Land to the eastern side of the existing Infopark campus is being considered for the third phase expansion,” said GCDA sources. Out of the 300 acres, 100 acres would be made available to Infopark Kochi, while the remaining 200 acres would be enhanced in value through infrastructure, and a portion of it would be returned to landowners, which is at the heart of the concept of land pooling.

According to the Kerala Land Pooling Rules, 30% of land would be used for commercial, industrial, and housing purposes, and the remaining land would be returned to landowners. The municipal corporation, municipal council, town panchayat, or village panchayat may, through a resolution, decide to prepare a land pooling scheme in respect of any part of the area within its jurisdiction.

Once not less than 75% of landowners of the proposed land pooling scheme area give their consent, the appropriate authority may issue the final notification for the drafting of the scheme. However, it is mandatory that the landowners who decline to give their consent should also be included in the scheme. Even if the consent is not forthcoming, the appropriate authority may, with the approval of the government, take an appropriate decision with regard to the scheme.

Landowners with plots not less than five hectares in municipal corporations, seven hectares in municipalities, and 10 hectares in panchayats can apply to the appropriate authority for inclusion of their plots in a land pooling scheme in their areas.