By Ashraf Padanna/Thiruvananthapuram

India’s largest shopping mall with 2.5mn square-feet built-up space will go operational in the southern port city of Kochi tomorrow, with some 300 outlets and lot of leisure spaces rolled into one.
Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will formally open the LuLu Mall of EMKE group, one of the world’s 10 fastest growing retail chains, in the presence of the UAE’s Foreign Trade Minister Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid al-Qasimi and several state and federal ministers of India.
This is the first retail foray of the brand in the home state of its promoters who run more than 100 outlets, mainly in the Gulf region. The group employs 30,000 expatriates, mostly from Kerala. The new mall alone will create 8,000 direct jobs, according to the promoters.
The shopping complex on 17 acres is spread across three levels and is complete with a full line of amenities and facilities which include the best of international lifestyle and luxury brands. It has a 27,000 sq ft entertainment zone, including an ice rink and a nine-screen multiplex.
A food court that serves international cuisines, coffee shops, money exchange, dine-in outlets, prayer halls and baby-care centre are also part of the facilities. Escalators, elevators and moving walkways make it easy for shoppers, diners and fun lovers to move around.
Built at a cost of Rs16bn, the promoters expect it to become the family shopping destination of choice for residents and tourists alike. Designed by WS Atkins, the UK-based consultants, the mall has a parking capacity of 3,000 cars with easy access from all sides.
Located at the intersection of three highways passing through Kochi, which hosts India’s only international container transshipment terminal, run by Dubai’s DP World, the mall’s expansive campus also has the 300-room Marriott hotel.
The retail chain is owned by Yusuffali M A, the lone non-Arab member of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the richest man in Kerala, who made it to the Forbes list of billionaires this year (net worth $1.5bn).
The LuLu retail chain was recently ranked by Deloitte as one of the 10 fastest growing retailers in the world. The group runs a string of hypermarkets, supermarkets and grocery stores in 21 countries in Asia and Africa and owns two Marriott hotels and a Grand Hyatt in Kerala.
Yusuffali is also one of the major shareholders of the Cochin International Airport Ltd, which runs India’s first corporate airport, and Air Kerala Ltd, its subsidiary floated to launch a budget airline.
“In true tradition of Lulu stores across the Gulf, it will feature the widest choice of world class brands at the fairest prices and offer a whole world of shopping with a good selection of brands and product lines under one roof,” said V Nandakumar, the group’s corporate communications manager.
Lulu Hypermarket, Lulu Celebrate, Lulu Connect, Westside, and PVR Cinemas are the anchor stores of the mall. The nine-screen multiplex with a total capacity of 2,250 seats will open in a few days.
The food court has a capacity for 3,500 seats and 18 food counters and the first MacDonald Restaurant in Kerala will also be anchored here. The mall will have a 5-D cinema hall, bowling alleys, water rides and electronic games. The other facilities include ATM, money exchange, pharmacy, travel and holiday’s desk and a bank.