Expressway opens a direct link to Infopark

KOCHI: With the opening of the 2.4 km four-lane Expressway on Sunday, the access to Infopark, which is in for a massive second-phase development, has vastly improved.

The Expressway, built at a cost of Rs.30 crore after a long delay following squabbles over land acquisition, opens a direct link to Infopark from the Seaport-Airport road. It has also reduced the distance for vehicles taking the road from Irumpanam.

The road, which takes off from near the Chithirappuzha river bridge, was to have improved road access to Smartcity, but the project is yet to take off.

Though the Expressway had been delayed, the Athulya IT building which it would serve along with other IT ventures at Infopark, was opened ahead of time. The Rs.95-crore building, which was opened on Sunday by the Chief Minister, as also the Expressway, could be completed within 16 months, instead of the estimated 18 months.

Fisheries Minister S. Sarma, who presided over the opening ceremony, pointed out that nearly a third of the 5.5 lakh sq. ft. buildings floor space had already been taken by IT companies.

Mr. Sarma said the Rs.2,800-crore second phase development work would begin next month. By the time the project was completed in six years, it would help create one lakh jobs in the IT sector.