1. MAIN ARTICLE Its Really Happening Here InTRIVANDRUMCompiled by: Chandru RajanAcross the eons of human history, from the Indus Valley to Rome to today, robust infrastructure has been the backbone onwhich civilization has been built. Effective and efficient infrastructure is a necessary prerequisite for economic growth andthe best use of resources. It has a direct impact on investment, the creation of employment and, as a consequence, on theliving conditions of the people. Today infrastructure can be classified as Hard and Soft. The hard refers to roads andbridges, ports, railway, power, telecom, IT parks etc while soft refers to the social aspects which include education, health,tourism, recreation facilities and sports.It is to be noted that, in Trivandrum, infrastructure developments are happening in both hard and soft segments.In this article, we have tried to compile some of the most important infrastructure projects in Trivandrum going on rightnow, all around us and projects which are in advanced stage of taking off.HARD INFRASTRUCTUREUrban InfrastructureTrivandrum International Airport Terminal T3 Status: Construction Complete; Operation to commence soon The new ` 300 Crore international airport terminal (T3) Main Lobby 19 meter tall three-storey glass-and-steel terminal building Tubular structure of elliptical geometry; design by WS Atkins Total floor area of about 350,000 Sq.ft Peak capacity of 1600 passengers/hour as much as three Airbus A-380s Annual capacity to handle 1.8 million passengers Front View Escalators and panoramic elevators 30 check-in counters, 14 immigration counters, and 9 customs counters Common User Terminal Equipment (CUTE) facility for easy transit Two Skylights stretch the terminals entire width, providing naturallighting. Four skylights in the Arrival area.Baggage Collection Area Three aerobridges will facilitate the docking of the aircraft to the terminal;provision for a fourth. Parking bays to accommodate more than 600 cars Shops, duty free area, restaurants and lounges A landscaped garden in the airport premises Departure Area 220-metre-long Six-land bridge connects the terminal to the NH 47 Images Courtesy: Vivekweb : www.tribiz.in e-mail : contact@tribiz.incopyright : Trivandrum Development Front2

2. Trivandrum Central Bus Terminal Status: Under Construction 12-storied complex, including basement with floorarea of 329,000 Square Feet 29 buses can be accommodated in bays on theground floor Elevators, escalators, atrium and food court Parking for 300 cars and for over 1,000 two-wheelers. Passenger platform with terminal facilities such asoffices, enquiry and ticketing. A central lobby , extensive commercial area, andfacilities to organize meetingsConstruction work progressing at the site Image Courtesy: Kerala KaumudiTrivandrum City Road Improvement Project Status: still-On-going After 4 years of delay due to issues with land acquisition and cancellation of contract with Punj Lloyd, work has recommenced, though very slow in execution. Land acquisition almost complete Overall, 42 Km of roads in City are being developed Widening of existing roads to 3/4/6 lanes Paved pedestrian pathways on both sides Bakery Junction flyover commissioned Intelligent signaling and Smart street lights Bus bays with state-of-the-art shelters Project completion expected by 2012 (??) Status: Phase I Commenced Phase I involves setting up the basic infrastructure , road, rail, water and power supply Port to be developed as a Land Lord port. GOK to set up the basic infrastructure costing ` 2500 crore.Vizhinjam 120 hectares of land to be declared as SEZ. State Bank of Travancore (SBT) to lead the consortium of banks Multi-Purpose Commenced land acquisition for the 45 M road from port to NH. Tenders finalized for the water supply; KSEB for power supplyPort Dedicated rail line approved by Indian Railways 19 companies both international and national responded to theImage Courtesy: VISL website RFQweb : www.tribiz.ine-mail : contact@tribiz.incopyright : Trivandrum Development Front 3 3. IT InfrastructureTechnocity , Trivandrum Infosys, TrivandrumFood Court & Recreation CenterSDB 2 underConstructionSDB 1Technocity Master planAerial view of campus. (Image Courtesy: PC) Status: Land acquisition complete; infrastructure Status: Operational; construction commenced on under development2nd Software Development Block(SDB) Involves an investment of ` 6000 Crore in over Land area: 50 acres Total built-up area: 1.5 Million Sq.ft 450 acres of land Will employ up to 10,000 software professionals Over 82 acres of land allotted to TCS Infosys currently employs over 3000 professionals Infrastructure such as roads, power and waterin Trivandrum supply under development Five SDBs, 2 food courts, multi-level parking,Image Courtesy: Technopark and KSTILrecreational and indoor sports facilities and aUST Global , Trivandrum helipadTechnopark Phase III, Trivandrum Perspective of Phase III. Inset (campus u/c) Status: Construction in progress; commissioning Perspective of UST Global Inset (Campus u/c)in August 2011 Status: Construction commenced for Phase I Phase III in 92 acres of SEZ land Land area: 36 acres Larsen & Turbo (L&T) commenced construction of Total built up area: 3.6 Million Sq.ft and total1stBlock of 1 million Sq.ft capacity of 30,000 22 acres in phase III will be given to IT Phase I 800,000 Sq.ft of space; Capacity 8000infrastructure developers First CISCO Smart Campus in India HCL Infosystems setting up R& D centre in 2acresweb : www.tribiz.ine-mail : contact@tribiz.in copyright : Trivandrum Development Front4 4. SOFT INFRASTRUCTUREEducation & Research InstitutionsIIST, Trivandrum Status: Operational in temporary campus; Permanentcampus under construction 3rd space institute in the world after those in the USAand Russia Work progressing fast on the new campus atValiyamala, Trivandrum Expected opening : 2012 academic yearPerspective of IIST campus under constructionIISER, TrivandrumStatus: Operational in temporary campus; Permanent campus under constructionWorld-class institution of higher education and researchCampus coming up on 250 acresStarted functioning from a temporary campus in CETExpected opening : 2012 academic yearPerspective of IISER campus under constructionAsian School of Business (ASB), Trivandrum ASB campus: under constructionImage Courtesy : Shafiweb : www.tribiz.in e-mail : contact@tribiz.incopyright : Trivandrum Development Front5 5. Sports Infrastructure International Cricket Stadium, Trivandrum Status: Tender process in progress World-class stadium complex in a 37-acre plot atKariyavattom International Standard Cricket and FootballStadium The seating capacity will be 50,000 Complex includes Sports club/Academy,Exhibition&Trade center and commercial areaImages Courtesy: JCJR PartnershipUniversity Stadium Renovation, Trivandrum Status: Renovation Under progress Will host the opening and closing ceremonies of 35th National Games. Main venue for athletics. New media centre at the stadium. Renovation work progressing at University stadiumIndoor Stadium, Trivandrum Status: Tender process in progress Multi-use, air-conditioned Indoor Stadium Being built at Central Polytechnic Campus,Vattiyoorkavu Seating capacity will be of 5,000Includes Tennis Courts, Swimming Pool,Club House and multi-level parkingImages Courtesy: JCJR Partnershipweb : www.tribiz.in e-mail : contact@tribiz.in copyright : Trivandrum Development Front6 6. DID YOU KNOW?Largest Global Learning and Development Campus In IndiaInvestment of ` 10 billion (1000 Crore) in82 acres of land When fully complete it will accommodate over 10,000 professionals Construction to commence in 2011-12 and to be completed within 36 months To be the Global Learning Hub and linked to other satellite centers across the globe Environment clearance for the Software Development Centre in Technopark The campus to come up in 26 acres of SEZ land allotted in TechnoparkThe Chief Minister, Mr V.S. Achuthanandan,hands over to Mr N. Chandrasekaran, MD andCEO, TCS, documents sanctioning 82 acres forsetting up the TCS training and developmentcentre at a function in Trivandrum on 4/09/2010.Image Courtesy: Hindu Business Lineweb : www.tribiz.in e-mail : contact@tribiz.in copyright : Trivandrum Development Front7 7. TDF ActivitiesIn the last year, TDF was involved with a wide variety of activities aimed to promote Trivandrum as an investmentdestination. In addition to these promotional activities TDF also took up various burning issues with the concernedauthorities.Initiatives Sl No ProgrammeDetailsThemed; Intelligent Trivandrum" a brochure and video presentation wasreleased narrating advantages & promoting Trivandrum as an investmentdestination in the India IT Summit attended by leading industry luminaries.About 1000 copies were printed and distributed to all the delegates whoattended the event.TDF would like to use this opportunity to thank Confederation of IndianIndustry (CII) for providing the opportunity as well as to mark appreciation toall its members, including the following members who extended financial support India IT Summit hosted too (in alphabetical order). 1 by CII @ Leela Ajay Prasad Ram Kumar Kempenski, Trivandrum Aji Sathyalal Robin Alex Ajith Vijayan Sajith Vijayan Chandru Rajan Shaju Puthuval Hari Gopinath Shelly Jaleel MalikSreeram Iyer Prasanth DavidSujith S Varier Rajesh S KrishnaVinod Raj Rajith MohanTDF participated and gave a presentation in the NRI Conclave titled "Cities ofTomorrow" held at Mascot hotel convention centre on 29th & 3oth July NRI Conclave titled2010.The NRI conclave was spearheaded by Orion Sargam, an investment 2group of NRKs in Saudi Arabia in association with Saihati Group in Dammam. "Cities of Tomorrow"TDF would like to use this opportunity to thank the organizers of NRI conclavefor providing the opportunity.TDF challenged the public statements made by certain K.S.R.T.C officials aboutthe non-profitability on the new Volvo services started in Trivandrum. TDF filedan RTI to understand the details of the performance of the new service, and as RTI on Volvo Busesthe initial response was not satisfactory, filed an appeal. The RTI response has 3 Introduced Undercemented our belief that vested interests are involved in diverting the funds JNNURM Schemeallotted to Trivandrum. The facts have been put together and we haveapproached Ministers, MLAs and higher authorities to take action against thisunfair deal. Detailed Proposal on A detailed proposal to form a Trivandrum Metropolitan Transit Authority was Trivandrumsubmitted to the concerned authorities including Transport Minister Mr. Jose 4Thettiyal. The Trivandrum Transit Authority will combine all the planning and Metropolitan Transit Authority implementation activities for various modes of transit in and around Trivandrum.TRIDA in association with various NGOs conducted a two day seminar on Master Plan forcreating a Master Plan for the Trivandrum Capital Region. The TDF presentation 5 Trivandrum Capital on the growth potential and development implications of the high technology Region sector was appreciated. TDF is currently following up with the LSG departmentfor final approval.TDF forwarded its open letter to the various regional print and visual media 6 Open letter to Media houses on the failure on their part to give due importance and coverage to theTechnocity inauguration and land allotment to HCL Infosystems.web : www.tribiz.in e-mail : contact@tribiz.incopyright : Trivandrum Development Front 8 8. Business Rendezvous Sl No Company/Client Name & Designation Project (s) Details Discussion on business opportunities in Technopark and Technocity. Official meetings arranged with Mr. Brian S. Garrison, Technopark 1 Forest City International respective key Technopark, GOK Managing Director/ Technocity officials and Ministers. A detailed market study was prepared at his request and submitted. Mr. ONG Beng Kheong, 2 AscendasCEO, SEA Operations Presentation sessions at the Vivanta by Taj, about Trivandrum Singapore Institute ofMr. Yeo Wee Kiong, FSID 3 investment opportunities in Directors (SID) Director & Council MemberTechnocity / sectors such as IT, tourism, real Mr. Ram Ramanan, Technopark estate and port. Concept to /Vizhinjam 4 Commissioning Director & Mr. Mahadevan Official meetings arranged with Singapore Iyer, Managing Director respective key GOK officials and Singapore India BusinessMr. V Subramanian,Ministers. 5 Association (SIBA)Honorary Secretary Mr. Chng Shih Hian, Mr. Discussion on Technocity. Tan Kian Hoon, Senior Chesterton Suntec Executive Directors and Meeting arranged with 6Technocity International, SingaporeTechnopark officials and the IT Mr. V K Rajan Senior ConsultantSecretary. SWOT Market Study on IT Infrastructure in Trivandrum. Leading IT infrastructureTechnocity/ SWOT study submitted on 7 Top Official developerTechnopark request from the client. Later on the same was presented to Technopark.Participations Sl NoProgramme Details TDF, a founding member of the Vizhinjam Mother Port Action Council, Vehicle Campaign for the 1 participated in a 10 day long vehicle campaign, covering the entire Trivandrum Vizhinjam Port Project district, against the Governments lack of interest in developing the port. TDF prepared draft plans and presentations for the City twinning project between Barcelona and Trivandrum. The two member Barcelona team was represented by Mr. Joseph Roca, Director of International Relations, Barcelona, Barcelona Meets 2 and Mr.Gerardo Fueyo- Bros, Councillor, Spanish Embassy in India. TDF also Trivandrum accompanied the delegation, attended the meeting with the Mayor of Trivandrum Mr.Jayan Babu @ Mascot Hotel and the meeting hosted by Trivandrum Chamber of Commerce at the Vivanta by Taj. Mr. Jesus Del Rio, Director International Trade Relations, Port of Barcelona was Meeting With Mr. Jesus in Trivandrum to discuss about the Vizhinjam port project, following the meeting Del Rio, Director 3 between Dr.Shashi Tharoor and Mr. Jordi Valls Riera, President - Port of International Trade Barcelona Authority. Janapaksham, a Vizhinjam focused NGO, and TDF were Relations, Barcelona Port invited for the meeting, attended by Mr Del Rio and VISL authorities.web : www.tribiz.ine-mail : contact@tribiz.incopyright : Trivandrum Development Front9 9. News & EventsHCL R&D Center In TechnoparkTechnocity Project LaunchedHCL Infosystems, to set up R& D The Rs 6000 Crore TechnocityCenter in Technopark, Trivandrum. project was launched by GOK. TheThe campus will come in 2 acres ofentire 450acres of land has beenland allotted in Phase III. For HCL acquired and transferred to KSITIL,Infoystems Mr V.K. Bahl, Corporatethe nodal agency for infrastructureGeneral Manager signed thedevelopment in IT sector. GOK hasagreement. The land allotment was done during the started work on setting up the basic infrastructureTechnocity launch in June 2010facilities like road, power and water supply.Centre For Molecular MaterialsSAT established in TrivandrumThe central government approved GOK has established the Statethe establishment of a National Administrative Tribunal inCentre for Molecular MaterialsTrivandrum. All the administrative(NCMM) at Trivandrum, as an disputes involving GOK will now beautonomous institute of the handled by SAT. The existing casesGovernment of India under the in High Court will be transferred toDepartment of Science & Technology, at a total cost ofSAT. It is estimated that 35% of the cases filed areRs.76.7 crore.government administrative related cases.500 T Bollard Pull Test CentreHay Festival @ TrivandrumIndias first 500 T safe Bollard Pull The 23 year old `Hay Festival, thetest centre will be operational inannual get-together of literaryTrivandrum. The testing centre is a figures, authors and thinkers, wasjoint venture between CSL and organized for first time in India atKerala Ports. All the tugs andTrivandrum. The organizers havespecial offshore has to go throughlet out their decision to makethis test. Vizhinjam was selected because of its inherent Trivandrum a permanent venue due to the overwhelmingadvantage of its greater depth close to the shore.response to the festival.Indigo To Fly From Trivandrum ` 100 Cr Super Speciality BlockIndias leading budget airlineThe new block (PMSSY) in medicalIndigo will start their maidencollege will have 300 beds. Theservice from Trivandrum onsurgery unit with have eightJanuary. The budget airline willoperation theatres, six ICU, 1connect Trivandrum with New haemodialysis unit and 1 renalDelhi, Chennai and Hyderabad. The transplant unit. The ICU will havecommencement of budget service will be a great relief to21-bed capacity and 3 surgical ICUs have 6 beds each.those who fly to these destinations The block will be dedicated to the nation early next year. Thank You Please send your feedback and suggestions to feedback@tribiz.in Design and conceived by : Team TDFweb : www.tribiz.in e-mail : contact@tribiz.in copyright : Trivandrum Development Front 10