NEDUMBASSERY: The Rs. 640-crore Information Technology Park proposed by Cochin International Airport Ltd. (CIAL) is set to get off the block soon.

The sub-committee of the airport company scheduled to meet on February 28 is expected to give sanction for the issue of notification for appointing a reputed consultant to undertake a feasibility study on the project.

Based on the study report submitted by the consultant, a master plan would be prepared so as to set up the Park with facilities on a par with international standards.

The IT Park would be spread over an area of 35 acres with a built-up area of about 3.81 million sq.ft.

It is expected to provide 15,000 job opportunities both directly and indirectly.

The IT Park is one of the multi-crore projects worth Rs. 3,500 crore conceived by the airport company as part of commercially utilising the land at its disposal.

The projects are expected to be implemented by 2015.

An 18-hole golf course to be set up at a cost of Rs. 23 crore is another major project planned by CIAL.

A convention centre, a retail centre, a five-star and a budget hotel are also being proposed as part of the golf course.

With an eye on attracting more foreign airlines and enhancing the revenue through increased flight movement, the airport company has embarked on the construction of a parallel taxiway at an estimated cost of Rs. 24 crore. The taxiway, which is expected to become operational in May 2007, will reduce the delay in landing and take-off.

Additional parking bays

Besides, four additional parking bays, capable of accommodating narrow-bodied aircraft such as A-320s, B-737s as well as wide-bodied aircraft such as A-340s, A-380s, B-747s, etc., will be set up at an estimated cost of Rs.9 crore.

The bays are expected to turn operational by next year.

A new international departure terminal is being set up in 3 lakh sq.ft. at an estimated cost of Rs. 33 crore. When completed, it will be capable of handling 1,200 passengers at a time during peak hour traffic.

A fully-owned subsidiary company, Cochin International Aviation Services Ltd. (CIASL), has been floated by the airport company for setting up an aircraft maintenance hangar and an aviation academy. The process for identifying an aviation consultant for the project is currently under way.

In the first phase, a maintenance hangar for two narrow-bodied aircraft will be set up at a cost of Rs. 20 crore, which is expected to be in place by March 2009.

The construction of the Centre for Perishable Cargo being developed by the airport company in association with APEDA is in full swing. The project costing Rs. 24 crore is expected to be commissioned by July this year.

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