The Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) is set to deploy a specialized team of officials next week to commence the process of land identification for the third-phase expansion of Infopark Kochi through land-pooling.
A government order issued on 18 October 2024 has designated GCDA as the ‘appropriate authority’ in accordance with Section 56 of the Kerala Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Act, 2023, which includes the land-pooling regulations that were announced on March 16, 2024.
This designation positions GCDA as the first local authority in Kerala to execute such a scheme for a significant project. Approximately 300 acres are anticipated to be allocated based on various criteria. Under Kerala’s land-pooling regulations, 30 percent of the land will be allocated for commercial, industrial, and residential purposes, while the remainder will be returned to the original landowners.
Local governing bodies, including Municipal Councils or Panchayats, have the authority to initiate a land-pooling scheme, and once a minimum of 75% of landowners provide their consent, the authority is empowered to issue the final notification. This initiative is designed to harmonize developmental requirements with equitable participation from landowners, thereby facilitating the ongoing expansion of Infopark as a technology hub.
