A record one million square feet of built-up area is to be added this year to the Technopark campus on the outskirts of this city.

About Rs.4 billion has already been invested in the existing 1.5 million sq ft built-up area which houses 91 companies providing direct employment to more than 10,000 people.

"On Feb 9, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy is laying the foundation for the building of Mumbai hotel major Leela Hotels which will contribute a 400,000 sq ft built-up area on a two-acre piece of land," Technopark CEO V.J. Jayakumar told IANS.

Leela Group is investing Rs.600 million in the building which it will hand over to IT companies. The building will be ready this year itself.

Technopark is also building a 600,000-sq ft building that would also be completed this year and has been fully booked.

"Ernst & Young, which already has a small operation here, is all set to expand operations here. A decision has been made to convert this centre into their Middle East technology hub and their staff strength is all set to double.

"Apart from that, next month their top officials from Europe and US are arriving to see if they could further expand operations," said Jayakumar.

The Kerala government has several inquires from leading IT firms for land at the Technopark to build their own campus.

"This March we would be getting another 100 acres of land near Technopark. Several companies are waiting in the wings to open up at Technopark," said Jayakumar.