Infopark Kochi proposes shifting SilverLine station to Phase 3 to free up frozen land under Phase 2

Infopark Kochi has submitted a proposal to the Kerala government suggesting that the station of the proposed SilverLine semi-high-speed rail project in Kerala be shifted from its second phase to a more ideal third phase.

A total of 45 acres had originally been identified for the station, which has since remained frozen in the second phase of Infopark.

The proposal was submitted a few weeks ago, before the Chief Minister during his media interactions ahead of the Kerala local body polls, and expressed doubts about the project taking off. The land parcel in the second phase of Infopark Kochi remains frozen for the SilverLine station and related infrastructure. Of this, 8.8 acres identified for commercial development connected to SilverLine, but not directly along its alignment, were exempted and allotted to IT major UST Global.

The Infopark proposal points out that if SilverLine proceeds as per its current alignment, it would be more ideal to have the station in Phase 3 rather than Phase 2. The proposed Phase 3, for which land pooling is under way, has been conceived as an integrated, artificial intelligence-driven township.

“Phase 3 will have more integrated transit points since Kochi Metro and Water Metro may be extended to it, and an expressway has also been proposed through it. So, the SilverLine station will also seamlessly fit in,” said sources.

If the State government accepts the proposal, it will free up around 29 acres, after setting aside seven acres for the SilverLine track and the mandatory buffer zone, from the remaining 36-odd acres. This would be beneficial for Infopark, which is reeling under a land shortage, with over 100 companies waiting for land allocation. The land that remains frozen was originally allotted to several companies.

This included 9.37 acres allocated to the Muthoot Group, where an IT building would likely have been completed by now had the land not been frozen. The company has since approached Infopark seeking an alternative parcel of land for its project. Based on this request, the State government has issued an order assigning the only remaining six acres available in the second phase to the company. The remaining 3.37 acres owed to the company will be allotted as and when land becomes available.

If the project is dropped completely, Infopark will get possession of the entire 36 acres.