Kochi’s ambition to remain a top-tier IT investment destination is being challenged as continued government inaction stalls the much-anticipated third phase of Infopark Kochi. Once regarded as one of Kerala’s leading IT hubs, Infopark now risks falling behind other Indian tech corridors due to land scarcity and policy inertia. No formal approval has been granted by State Government.
The delay is already casting a shadow on the park’s investment outlook, with over 100 IT firms waiting for office space and at least a dozen companies seeking to lease land. With the first and second phases already saturated, the absence of expansion options is pushing potential investors to look elsewhere. According to officials in the Kerala IT Department, the slowdown in decision-making is proving costly.
The Infopark campus, located in Kakkanad, was once seen as a balanced counterweight to the hyper-concentrated tech hubs of Bengaluru and Hyderabad. But now, insiders say, the lack of urgency around its third phase is forcing businesses to reconsider their commitments. While cities like Bengaluru continue to battle civic congestion, they remain attractive due to consistent policy backing and faster land approvals.
Hope emerged briefly last October when the state issued an order allowing the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) to proceed with land pooling for the third phase. “All the groundwork for a Memorandum of Understanding is ready. But the final go-ahead must come from the State Government. Until that happens, we’re stuck,” a GCDA official confirmed.
Infopark Kochi’s growth has stalled due to the Kerala government’s prolonged delay in approving its Phase 3 expansion, leaving over 100 IT firms in limbo. While GCDA stands ready to begin land pooling, bureaucratic inertia is weakening investor confidence. As Bengaluru and Hyderabad continue to attract tech investments with faster clearances, Kochi risks losing its appeal, undermining Kerala’s digital ambitions and its role in India’s competitive startup and IT ecosystem.
Kerala’s ambition to be seen as a future-ready, sustainable IT destination hinges on swift action. Delaying Phase 3 of Infopark Kochi endangers both economic growth and the broader digital roadmap envisioned for the state. For Kochi to retain its place on India’s tech map, the government must offer timely policy clarity, ensuring infrastructure growth matches the demand and sustaining the region’s reputation as a credible, innovation-friendly urban hub.
