Tidel Park in Coimbatore which became operational in 2010 is yet to see 100 per cent occupancy. Its locational advantage (very close to on the National Highway 47) and proximity to the Coimbatore Airport, does not seem been in its favour, at least till recently.
The occupancy has in recent months risen to reach the 60 per cent mark.
The Managing Director of Tidel Park, Chennai, P. Shanmugasundaram, however, expressed confidence of the park reaching full occupancy before the close of this fiscal.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 13{+t}{+h} edition of Connect Coimbatore 2013, an event initiated by CII, Coimbatore, Shanmugasundaram said 14 companies — comprising four large IT companies and the rest — medium-sized ones operate out of Park, occupying 5 lakh sq.ft. space.
“We are negotiating with four other companies for 3-lakh sq.ft. space. This is expected to be through in the next two- three months,” he added.
The Park, promoted by Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO), Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu (ELCOT), TIDEL, and Software Technology Park of India (STPI), has a built area of 17 lakh sq.ft., of which, IT space is 9 lakh sq.ft. — 6 lakh sq.ft. towards vehicle parking and 2 lakh sq.ft. for utilities and amenities.
“There are takers for smaller space of say 1,500-3,000 sq.ft. But we have been offering a minimum of 25,000 sq.ft. Considering the request for lesser space, the State Government has decided to create an incubation centre in 60,000 sq.ft. to accommodate ‘true’ innovators. We will be able to accommodate 30 entrepreneurial ventures in this plug and play facility, which is expected to become operational in the next 3 to 5 months. The investment on this proposed facility has been estimated at Rs 10 crore,” Shanmugasundaram said.
He maintained that the rent modalities are being worked out as the occupant would not have to incur any capital investment.
The Government, he said, is taking all efforts to attract investment in infrastructure.
Despite the idle space, Tidel Park, Coimbatore, would reach a break-even this fiscal, he said.
“We are making special offers in lease rentals for IT/ ITeS companieswilling to sign up for a period of 5 or 9 years. We have fixed it at Rs 25/sq.ft. a month on super built-up area, subject to an escalation of 15 per cent at the end of 3 years. We are also making a special offer of Rs 23/sq.ft. for those seeking space of 50,000 sq.ft. and above. A rent-free fit out period of 3 to 5 months is also on offer,” he said.