Thiruvananthapuram:
The biggest built-in space for IT anywhere in India is here - Techno Park - the first exclusive technology centre in the country that came up 18 years ago in Thiruvananthapuram.
But today the worldclass building can boast of no more than 150 IT companies, with 30,000 direct employees under its roof while the 3 other southern cities have grown 20 times faster according to the STPI. Former member of the state's planning board Vijaya Raghavan admits that poor governance and too many
hartals deterred Kerala from fast connecting to the IT world.
"The government delayed its decision with regard to SEZ, and when that happened investor confidence came down. The perception is negative and has become more negative due to lack of consistency in policy decision," said Vijaya Raghavan, Former Member, Planning Board.
Working out of Kerala would mean bringing cost of operations down by 30 per cent due to cheaper tele connectivity, power and rentals. Promoters of IT hope that USP would bring home investors during recession. Infosys, for instance visited Techno Park in the 90's but decided to set up shop recently.
"We are trying to create a brand for Kerala, where human resource is plenty and that would also act as a pull for IT companies to come," said Dr Ajay Kumar, IT secretary.
Thrissur district will have its first IT park by the end of the year, and in the next 5 years there will be 10 such facilities across the state. With a hope that the state, a magnet for tourists starts attracting techies too.