THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Centre is set to officially announce the much-awaited Neopolis IT township project in Technopark Phase-IV, Thiruvananthapuram, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi slated to unveil the Rs 1,000 crore initiative.
The Neopolis project, part of the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs’ broader vision, is one of eight such projects proposed across the country, with Thiruvananthapuram being the sole city selected from Kerala.
The state govt has formed a nine-member joint panel, chaired by the IT secretary, to oversee the planning and coordination of the project. The govt order constituting this committee was issued on Saturday. “The PM will announce the project soon. As part of it, the state govt formed a committee to coordinate the project. While we cannot specify a timeline for the project’s commencement, the Centre is giving it high priority,” said an official close to the project.
The Neopolis project is part of the larger Outer Area Growth Corridor (OAGC) initiative in the capital city. The township will cater to aerospace industries and related sectors such as electronics, software, and IT.
In addition to business facilities, Neopolis will feature residential complexes, shopping malls, recreational areas, and five-star hotels, creating a self-sustaining urban ecosystem.
Technological innovation will be at the heart of the Neopolis development, with a focus on emerging fields like robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, data analytics, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
The project is expected to attract leading firms in these sectors, fostering research, innovation, and economic growth in the region.
The project will be implemented through a Special Purpose Company (SPC), jointly promoted by Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Andoorkonam Panchayat, Mangalapuram Panchayat, the Capital Regional Development Programme (CRDP), and Technopark. This collaborative effort will ensure that all stakeholders are aligned in the development process.
The Neopolis project will complement another ambitious initiative at Technopark Phase-IV, known as QUAD, under the aegis of the state govt and Technopark.
The state govt received the proposal for the Neopolis project from the special officer of the CRDP-II on Aug 30 this year, and the govt decided to form the committee as a prelude to the official announcement of the project.
The gov also submitted a detailed proposal in response to the request for proposal (RFP) issued by the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs.
The selected land, located on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram, is strategically positioned to benefit from existing infrastructure and future economic growth.
The RFP was issued based on the recommendations of the 15th finance commission, which, for the first time, allocated Rs 8,000 crore as an incentive grant for the development of new cities in eight states, focusing on smart city principles.
The CRDP’s proposal, submitted in January 2023, identified the project site as meeting all the necessary criteria for this prestigious initiative.
