‘Knowledge City’ unveiled in Kerala, CM lauds Markaz initiative

An integrated township comprising state-of-the-art knowledge houses, health care and hospitality realms, residential enclaves and a cluster of information technology firms coming up in the southern Indian state of Kerala.
Oommen Chandy, the state’s chief minister, unveiled the master plan for the Markaz Knowledge City under the aegis of a prominent Islamic institute, the Markazu Saquafathi Sunniyya, near the northern city of Kozhikode in the presence of senior ministers and foreign delegates.
Dr. Omar Al-Khatib, the assistant director general of Dubai’s Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities, laid the foundation for the first project in the township, the state’s first Unani medical college, at the function.
The first phase of the Knowledge City occupies 125 acres of land where a seamless campus comprising residential facilities for 5,000 students and over 500 faculty members is coming up with facilities like e-learning, digital classrooms, lecture halls and studios.
The Knowledge City offers education in the field of law, medicine, business management, engineering and technology. The campus would also provide training facilities for various extracurricular, job-oriented and personality development activities.
Located at Kaithapoyil, 45 km from Kozhikode city, the center of excellence will also offer recreation and leisure facilities, supported by quality social and physical infrastructure. Schools following international syllabus, a multi-speciality hospital, hotel and internationals convention center and a huge shopping mall are also planned in the self-contained township.
“I am impressed by the pace with which the land acquisition is completed and the project is progressing,” said the Chief Minister who offered all infrastructure and other support for the project. “In this century of knowledge, we should be able to fully utilize the technical knowledge.”
Chandy also cleared a road project connecting Adivaram to Karassery and to expedite a project providing seamless road connectivity to the nearest international airport at Karippur and the hilly district of Wayanad.
“The government is not capable of taking up such huge projects and mobilizing resources in such a time-bound manner. So the Markaz rally deserves a pat on the back,” the chief minister said.
State Industries Minister PK Kunhalikutty laid the foundation stone for the Cyboland IT Park, Power Minister Aryadan Mohammed for the Residential Garden and Deputy Leader of Opposition Kodiyeri Balakrishnan laid the foundation stone for the engineering student hostel.
Health Minister VS Sivakumar, Works Minister VK Ibrahim Kunhu, Social Welfare Minister Dr. MK Muneer and Urban Affairs Minister Manjalamkuzhi Ali laid the foundation for various projects coming within the campus.