A high-level delegation from SmartCity is set to arrive in Kochi next week

A high-level delegation from SmartCity is set to arrive in the city next week to discuss the proposals of the core committee to expedite the progress of the project and to reach a decision on them.

A core committee with the district collector as chairperson was formed to recommend solutions to the twin problems— the relocation of a Public Works Department (PWD) road and that of the installations of the electricity department —on the 100 acres of the project area.

SmartCity Kochi agreed to share the cost of reconstructing the dormitory complex and relocating the air quality monitoring station of the KSEB. However, the company disagreed over the estimate of Rs.1.04 crore presented by the electricity department for the reconstruction of the dormitory complex. But at the same time it accepted the estimate of Rs.3.40 lakh for the relocation of air quality monitoring station.

The officials will meet the district collector and the core committee members to discuss the issues related to the proposal on cost sharing for relocating the installation and other structures of the electricity department.

The visit is part of the efforts of the promoters to expedite the process of securing the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) status for the project. At the last meeting of the director board, the SmartCity officials, in the presence of Fisheries Minister S Sharma, who is also the chairman of SmartCity Kochi, had said that the construction works of the project will start only after getting the SEZ notification from the Centre.

Even though the registration of the land and stamp duty exemption are still pending, SmartCity has decided to sort out other critical issues, a release issued by the company said.

“Today our immediate priority is obtaining the stamp duty exemption and to secure the SEZ status for SmartCity Kochi in order to begin the construction. We have been and will continue to do everything in our hands to remove the bottlenecks and expedite the progress,” said Fareed Abdulrahman, Chief Executive Officer of SmartCity Kochi.

SmartCity Kochi has, in principle, agreed to relocate the PWD road on its own. However, this is yet to be approved by the board members.

SmartCity Kochi will lay the alternative to the PWD road complying with international standards, and on completion it will be handed over to the district administration, the release said.

Meanwhile, SmartCity Kochi has written to the district administration requesting possession of nearly 19 cents within the 100 acres that was not part of the original land deal.

Source