The Greater Cochin Development Authority’s (GCDA) bid to become the first local body to serve as an appropriate authority for land pooling in a major government-funded project failed to make much headway after it hit a legal hurdle.

Shortly after the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections were notified, the Advocate General issued a legal opinion advising that GCDA proceed with land pooling only after issuing a notification bringing the two panchayats — Kunnathunadu and Kizhakkambalam – under its ambit. GCDA had identified nearly 300 acres in these panchayats for the third-phase expansion of Infopark. The top legal officer cautioned against GCDA engaging in land pooling in areas beyond its jurisdiction, though the authority remained unconvinced.

“Under the Kerala Town and Country Planning Act, GCDA is empowered to carry out any work entrusted by the government, anywhere. Similar bodies in other States undertake such projects,” GCDA sources said.

GCDA had planned to complete the land pooling formalities and develop the land within three years after it was entrusted with the task in late 2024. A dedicated team of officials was deployed, but the process stalled before the stage of issuing the relevant notification.

The Kerala government, through an order dated October 18, 2024, designated GCDA as the appropriate authority for the proposed land pooling under Section 56 of the Kerala Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Act. Land pooling rules had been incorporated into the Act via an extraordinary gazette notification dated March 16, 2024.

Of the 300 acres earmarked, 100 acres were to be handed over to Infopark Kochi, while the remaining 200 acres were to be developed with infrastructure to enhance value. A portion of this land was to be returned to landowners, which formed the core principle of land pooling. As per the Kerala Land Pooling Rules, 30% of the land may be used for commercial, industrial, and housing purposes, while the rest is returned to landowners. A municipal corporation, municipal council, town panchayat, or village panchayat may, through a resolution, prepare a land pooling scheme for any part of its jurisdiction.

Once at least 75% of landowners in the proposed scheme area give their consent, the appropriate authority may issue the final notification for drafting the scheme. Importantly, landowners who withhold consent must also be included in the scheme. Even without majority consent, the appropriate authority may, with government approval, take a decision on the scheme. Landowners with plots not less than 5 hectares in municipal corporations, seven hectares in municipalities, and 10 hectares in panchayats are eligible to apply to the appropriate authority for inclusion of their plots in a land pooling scheme.