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Kochi is majoring into big league

The proposed International Container Transhipment Terminal project once commissioned will give a new dimension to the fortunes of Kochi. The factors like the existence of an international airport, sea port and a number of well-maintained National Highways has also immensely worked out to Kochi's advantage.

Kochi is in the threshold of a major change, a change that is quite extensive and far-reaching. And interestingly, along with the sweeping changes, Kochi is also extending a chance for many to make a choice. Only because, today, Kochi is providing a flight of opportunities to whosoever concerned. Be it the builders, BPO players, IT majors or telecom operators, all are vying for piece of its pie. In the recent past, business deals worth billions have found its way to this commercial capital of Kerala, thanks to the untiring efforts of decision makers from almost all quarters. And these days, from the point view of industrial growth alone, there are enough reasons for the entrepreneur fraternity in Kochi to feel happy about.

Equally, for most investors, Kochi has also become a destination to feel too cool about, for Kochi, literally, has everything that they are in the look out for. Be it convenience or comfort, Kochi has a confident answer. If one is to look back, this pervasive change has not taken place almost overnight. In fact, the change that has become a reality with the commitment, foresight and hard work of the people at the decision making levels. And as such, Kochi is scoring in almost all spheres of entrepreneurship like IT, healthcare, education, telecom and tourism. Hectic activities are going on in almost every segment of business enterprise. However the biggest of all of them is the International Container Transhipment Terminal scheduled to come up at Vallarpadom near Kochi and once streamlined Kochi will scale new heights of triumph.

"In recent years, Kochi has developed into a place where professionals can easily relocate themselves only because people who have experienced metro life will never feel out of place here. This is one specific reason why the city has turned out to be a most favourite investment zone in the whole of South India" observes Asha of Heera Constructions, a frontline builder having operations in Kochi. In the recent past, the city has improved a lot in the infrastructural area and this is one reason that has prompted big names in the IT and similar other sectors to arrive in Kochi with their future projects. The factors like the existence of an international airport, sea port and a number of well-maintained National Highways has also immensely worked out to Kochi's advantage.

In the wake of new development, the shipping industry in Kochi is all set for a major boom after a long lasted silence. The proposed International Container Transhipment Terminal project once commissioned will give a new dimension to the fortunes of Kochi. The education scenario in Kochi is also on a fast track and to tap the growing potential, a number of big banners in the field of education have started international schools in and around the city. Surely this is going to be one of Kochi's trump cards in the days to come. Likewise, in the field of healthcare too, Kochi has achieved global acclaim for its excellence and is poised for further growth in the days to come.

The sudden spurt of activities in Kochi has also augmented a similar wave in places as far as Kottayam and Thrissur. The key reason for their prosperity is because of the fact that they lie very close to Kochi. Given the road conditions are reasonably fine one can access these neighbouring places in a matter of one and half hours from Kochi. Interestingly, both Kottayam and Thrissur have roped in the success mantra through tourism. While the former is getting hugely popular because of its backwater tourism (remember our former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee even chose to spend a vacation in Kumarakom near Kottayam), the latter is ringing its cash registers through cultural tourism.

Information and communication technology is one specific sector where Kochi is hoping to hit it big. Already, a number of IT majors have announced their willingness to begin operations in Kochi. It all began in the state with the Techno Park, Asia 's biggest and India's first technology park located at the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram. It raised the morale of the state's IT business in a big way. The Infopark in Kochi soon followed suit with a sprawling campus of 230 acres in Kakkanad. The Info park has instantly caught the attention of several players in the IT sector. It's true that competition will pave the way for numerous options and opportunities and to remain ahead in the race, the local administration and other authorities concerned should focus on providing the best infrastructural support to the investors.

Kerala is a state that always lamented about its lack of employment opportunities. But this aspect is going to take a total turnaround in near future. The employment opportunities and career options centering Kochi will grow manifold in the years to come and this is all likely to create a significant impact on the housing sector. With the flow of corporate clientele growing by the day, the demand for housing is already on the rise in Kochi and as such the city and even its suburbs is witnessing frantic activities in the field of construction. Finding a very prospective market, several nationally renowned realtors have joined the existing city-based builders with plenty of projects in Kochi. They are working overtime to meet the ever spiralling demand for quality housing and in the process; the skyline of Kochi is witnessing a revolution in the true sense of the word.

- Sunil Naliyath

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