Kottarakara is fast developing into an IT city, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Monday while inaugurating ‘Commune’, Kerala’s first ‘work close to home’ project. He noted that this pioneering initiative aimed at decentralizing the IT sector can be replicated in all regions of the state with the active involvement of local government institutions. He added that the government is supporting the knowledge economy through K-DISC, providing specialized skills training to students, unemployed graduates and educated women who have had to leave the workforce.
Apart from the IT sector, the chief minister announced a massive infrastructure overhaul for Kottarakara, including the establishment of the state’s first drone park, a science museum, a planetarium, a modern stadium and a regional center for the University of Kerala. “Construction of the new city hall and outdoor auditorium is already underway, while a land acquisition notice has been issued for a new bypass to address the ongoing traffic congestion of the city. These projects are part of a larger development vision supported by KIIFB,” said Mr. Vijayan.
Finance Minister KN Balagopal, who presided over the event, said the ‘jobs close to home’ project is designed to improve local job opportunities, bring talented professionals back to their hometowns and elevate Kerala as a global hub for skill development. “The newly commissioned facility offers a state-of-the-art working environment with high-speed internet and full air-conditioning, where 80 of the 150 vacancies have already been occupied by various companies.
Besides, the second phase of the Ravinagar IT Park, costing more than ₹ 80 crore and capable of accommodating 1,500 employees, is moving into the tendering stage,” said the minister, who also announced that a specialized drone research course would soon be launched at Ezhukone Polytechnic College. Vonnue and Zoho would start operations at the new facility.
Published – 19 Jan 2026 20:53 IST
