Leading software companies like Infosys, TCS, US Soft and IBS would invest close to Rs.10 billion ($230 million) in Kerala's IT campus Technopark, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said here Monday.

This would see 20,000 new jobs being created, Chandy told reporters while detailing the expansion plans of the Technopark campus, near here.

"We expect to finish the second phase of the expansion of the Technopark campus by 2007. This would see 600,000 sq ft of state of the art building space ready for occupation by IT companies," he said.

"Alongside this, leading software giants like Infosys, TCS, US Soft and IBS and existing companies would be investing a record Rs.10 billion which would see 20,000 new jobs being created," Chandy added.

"In the second phase, Infosys has been allotted 86 acres and they would invest Rs.2.5 billion, TCS would be given an additional 26 acres and they too would invest Rs.2.5 billion. US Soft, an existing Technopark company, has been allotted 36 acres and IBS Software five acres."

Work on the third phase would also begin simultaneously. L&T would be set up a 30-acre infocity, he said.

Technopark began operations in 1998. In the first phase, 1.5 million sq ft built up area was handed over to 75 companies that provide full time job to 7,500 people.