Kochi: The wait of around 40 IT companies for a space in Cyberpark at Kozhikode continues as the park faces an acute shortage of space. The situation demands an immediate intervention from the part of the authorities as there are so many takers for the park which grapples with space crunch to provide working space for the companies. 

Considering the number of companies waiting to enter the scene, the park needs an additional space of one lakh sq ft IT space. But, due to the space crunch, the Park is in no position to welcome these companies.

All the available space in the park has been already given to companies. Though the government had decided to construct a new facility in the park, the steps to be taken in connection with this has been delaying. Recently, a company had approached the Park requesting for a working IT space of 50,000 sq ft which was turned down by the authorities. Following this, the company is forced to set up their company in some other facility available in the region.

Though more companies have been coming up expressing their willingness to set up facilities here, the Park authorities are not in a position to welcome them due to lack of space. The officials have already informed the government about the crisis. 

Post Covid, demand for working space has gone up considerably, an official said. The demand for working space varies from 1500 sq ft to 50,000 sq ft. Apart from the new companies seeking for a space, the companies already functioning in the facility also are coming up demanding space with plans of expansion. If their wait gets longer, it is said that, they would go for other facilities available. 

The government had started the IT Park at Kozhikode following success of IT Parks at Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi. As of now, the facility has a space of  2.88 lakhs sq ft. According to the officials, 82 IT companies functioning in the building named as ‘Sahya’ which is situation in five acres of land marked as special economic zone. As of now, around 2200 IT professionals work here. The functioning of the Park is being monitored by Kochi Info Park CEO. 

The second construction in the Park is being planned as a four lakhs sq ft.building. The call for completion of the work has been getting louder following the demand for more space by companies waiting to enter the scene. The ownership of the land of Cyber Park rests with Kerala State Information Technology Infrastructure Limited. Attempts are also on to start a new IT campus with the participation of more partners like in other IT Parks. 

The discussion regarding the construction of new building has been progressing, said Sushanth Kurunthil, CEO, Cyberpark, Kochi.