Three decades on, Technopark Trivandrum grows from strength to strength

Our Correspondent

Technopark Trivandrum, India’s first Information Technology Park, has entered its 30th year, marking an eventful journey that saw the Kerala capital being firmly positioned as a major technology hub, attracting big global and Indian companies to set up business and flourish.

One of country’s largest IT Parks spread across 662 acres of land with 102.7 lakh sq.ft built up space, Technopark is now home to 450 IT/ITeS companies with a direct employment of 62,000 IT professionals.

In the context of the pandemic situation, the premier institution has already set its eyes on encashing the emerging work space culture.

“The idea of work space is set for a paradigm shift in the post-pandemic era. In the unfolding context fraught with hopes and anxieties, Technopark considers its future quite bright, strengthening its core competence of being a stable and safe campus for investors and talented professionals,” said Mr Sasi PM, CEO, IT Parks Kerala.

A CMMI Level 4, ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 & OHSAS 18001:2007 certified IT campus, Technopark is one of world’s greenest Technopolis as well.

An autonomous organisation fully owned by the Government of Kerala, Technopark has grown from strength to strength since it came into existence on 28th July 1990.

“One of the most vibrant IT facilities of India, Technopark has consistently been expanding its list of valued clientele on account of its world class infrastructure, customer friendly ambience, excellent data connectivity and green environment,” said Mr Sasi.

Recalling the formation of Technopark, G. Vijaya Raghavan, founder CEO, says, “July 28 is an important day for me and 10 others who formed the core team that set up Technopark.”

In his Facebook post Mr. Raghavan writes, on July 28, 30 years ago the Electronic Technology Parks – Kerala was registered as a society under the Travancore Cochin Scientific and Charitable Societies Act.

This day was always celebrated as the Technopark Formation Day for at least the first decade.
“Seeing Technopark grow over the last three decades I feel really happy that along with my team we could play a small part in its initial days and prove that things can happen in Kerala,” says Mr. Raghavan.

In 1990, the then Chief Minister E.K. Nayanar, the then Industries Minister K.R. Gowri Amma, and a team of officials, visited Silicon Valley and Standford University to study the possibility of setting up high-technology industries in the State, following a feasibility report commissioned by the government and envisioned by the late industrialist K.P.P. Nambiar.

There they saw hundreds of women at work building computers with robots whizzing amidst them. Mr. Nayanar, who until then thought that computers and computerisation would put an end to jobs, immediately gave the green signal for the project. The credit for initiating the project goes to the Nayanar government, that for implementing the project goes to bureaucrat K.M. Chandrasekharan, and the K. Karunakaran-A.K. Antony government.

Mr. Raghavan fondly recalled Mr. Nambiar who brought him back to Kerala and gave him the reigns of the project, K.R. Gouri Amma who as Minister provided unqualified support, E.K. Nayanar who as Chief Minister cleared many a block and gave him unstinted support. The former Chief Executive Officer says that it was these three people who should be given the credit for the idea and for initiating Technopark.

The credit for the speedy implementation of the post goes to K.M. Chandrasekhar who gave the leadership and guidance during the formative years, P.K. Kunhalikutty as Indsutry Minister and K. Karunakaran and A.K. Antony as Chief Ministers supported the team at Technopark during their term.

The technocrat says that the success of Technopark goes to the above political leaders and to Susheela Gopalan and E.K. Nayanar in his second term and to Oommen Chandy who came in later. The present government led by Pinarayi Vijayan continues to support the growth of Technopark and the Information Technology sector.

Mr. Raghavan also lauded and thanked all the companies that decided to set up their facility in Technopark. They should be remembered as people who create jobs and encourage the Malayalee to stay on in Kerala. “Starting from a sofa in the main block of the Secretariat to become one of the best IT destinations in the country spread over several hundred acres in three phases and Technocity, Technopark is still growing,” the visionary said.

During 2016-2020, Technopark has shown steady growth in export, revenue generation, number of companies and employment. The IT export has grown to over Rs.7,000 crores in 2018-19 against Rs.5,000 crores in 2017-18. In FY2018-19, it registered an 8.5% growth in export over the last year.

Technopark clocked an overall growth of IT export of 40% in FY 2018-19 over 2016. The institution recorded a direct employment of 62,000 by March 2020, which is an incremental employability of 10,000 from 2016.

Major MNCs that have started operations at Technopark campus during 2016-2020 including Nissan Digital India, Tech Mahindra, Teranet, Way Dot Com and HnR Block India Pvt Ltd., which together account for an investment of Rs.27.5 crore and provide over 1,610 jobs.

The 1,200 Cr investment of Taurus Down Town project was launched on October 12, 2018 in Technopark Phase III. The project is envisaged at 57 lakh sq.ft of built up space with IT & commercial space and is expected to give direct employment of 25,000.

Mr. Raghavan also had words of encouragement for the professionals who are working in Technopark. “Driving through the Technopark a few days ago it was deserted, less than 1% of the over 70,000 people were at work with most choosing to work from home. Thousands had lost their jobs, many have to be on leave without pay, a lot of people at pain due to salary cuts. Many entrepreneurs and companies are struggling to make ends meet so that they can pay their teams and keep them together not because they can afford to do it but because they care for their people,” Mr. Raghavan said.
He hoped that these difficult times pass by soon so that everyone can get back to their normal routine.