T’puram: The Neopolis IT township project under the aegis of Union govt proposed in the capital is likely to face delays, with the Centre reportedly planning a major revision of the scheme by expanding it from 10 cities to nearly 100 across the country. The move, aimed at widening the scope of next-generation IT infrastructure, has put the timeline of the Thiruvananthapuram project in uncertainty.Neopolis project, which received in-principle approval from Union ministry of housing and urban affairs in Dec 2024, is proposed to be developed at Technopark Phase IV. It is also envisaged as the first component of the ambitious outer area growth corridor (OAGC) project, which seeks to decongest the city and spur economic growth in peripheral regions. Originally, Thiruvananthapuram was the only city from Kerala included in the final shortlist after Kannur was dropped due to issues related to land availability and documentation. However, sources indicated that the Centre has now asked Capital Regional Development Programme-II (CRDP), the consultant for the project, to rework Kannur’s proposal, signaling a renewed consideration of the northern district. A senior CRDP official confirmed the development, stating, “The Union govt is revisiting the overall framework of the Neopolis initiative. With the proposal to expand the number of cities significantly, all shortlisted projects, including Thiruvananthapuram, may undergo fresh evaluation. We have been asked to rework certain aspects, including the Kannur submission, and align them with the revised guidelines,” he said. The Neopolis township is envisioned as a futuristic, self-sustaining urban ecosystem that integrates IT infrastructure with residential and commercial facilities. The project plan includes high-end office spaces for emerging technologies, alongside residential complexes, shopping centres, recreational zones and hospitality infrastructure such as five-star hotels. Officials said the township aims to position Thiruvananthapuram as a hub for cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence, robotics, machine learning, blockchain, data analytics and the Internet of Things (IoT). The model is inspired by global innovation clusters that combine workspaces with lifestyle amenities to attract talent and investment. According to earlier project outlines, the Neopolis initiative is expected to complement the growth of Technopark. Urban planners note that the integration of the township with the proposed OAGC could significantly transform the capital’s development pattern by reducing pressure on the city centre and promoting planned urbanization in suburban areas.Despite the uncertainty, officials remain optimistic that Thiruvananthapuram’s strong IT ecosystem, availability of skilled manpower, and existing infrastructure will help it retain priority status when the revised plan is finalized. Further clarity on timelines and revised project guidelines is expected once Union govt formally announces the expanded Neopolis framework.
