Smart City Kochi (cochin), Kerala, India - News

E Sreedharan to head Kochi Metro

2011-11-22T21:29:00.000-08:00

Finally, the announcement has come. India's metro man E Sreedharan has been chosen to head the Kochi Metro rail project. Electricity minister Aryadan Mohammed said on Tuesday that the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) chief would be given charge of the project and he would oversee the construction works.

The minister made the announcement after holding talks with Sreedharan in New Delhi. A team of ministers, including chief minister Oommen Chandy and senior officials held discussions with the DMRC chief.

Sreedharan had earlier expressed his willingness to render any service to the state. He is currently the managing director of DMRC. His tenure with Delhi Metro will end by December 31, 2011.

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Central nod to Chennai-model Kochi Metro rail

2011-10-13T00:11:00.000-07:00

The Ministry of Urban Development has reportedly given approval to model the Kochi Metro rail on the lines of Chennai Metro rail.

A draft in this regard has been prepared by the Cabinet.

There will be no private participation in the project. The amount which was earmarked for the project will be increased to Rs. 5,016 crore from Rs. 1,886 crore, as 51 percentage of the amount will be taken by way of loan.

The project will be submitted before the Cabinet only after receiving a nod from the Finance Ministry.

Kochi SmartCity commences; phase-1 to be completed in 2 yrs

2011-10-09T09:52:00.000-07:00

KOCHI: Construction of the much delayed Rs 2,000 crore SmartCity project at the nearby Kakkanad commenced today and the first phase is expected to be completed in two years.

Within 24 months the project's first phase would be ready and is expected to provide about 7,000 jobs, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said after performing the "ground breaking ceremony" of the 6,000 sq ft pavillion building, which will be completed within 14 weeks.

SmartCity is a conglomerate promoted by Dubai Holding member, TECOM Investments, to develop and manage Knowledge industry Townships Worldwide. It is based on Dubai's models of Internet City, Media City and Knowledge Village to promote the growth of 'knowledge-based' companies.

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Govt grants SEZ status to entire Kochi Smart City area

2011-09-20T02:48:00.000-07:00

The Union commerce ministry today granted the status of a special economic zone (SEZ) to 114-acre site of the proposed Smart City project in Kochi. With this, the SEZ status has now been accorded to the total area of 246 acres of the proejct.

Earlier, in March this year, the government had sactioned SEZ status only to 132 acres as the total project area is divided into two by a river in the middle.

The latest move is expected to lead to a smooth sailing of the Rs 2,000-crore mega IT infrastructure project. Samrt City Kochi managing director Baju George said that the decision was very positive for the progress of the proejct.

Meanwhile, the work on the Pavilion of SmartCity, which would showcase project's various features, will begin on September 29. The pavilion would also have the offices for the administrative and project management team of the project.

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A smart route map for Kochi Metro Rail

2011-06-26T07:57:00.000-07:00

The dream IT project of Kochi, the Smart City, may soon get metro rail connectivity. The state government has decided to extend the alignment of Kochi Metro Rail to the proposed Smart City site.

The authorities will soon start the study for foxing the alignment for the new route. “We have decided to extend the alignment. It will be fixed without much delay,” said Minister Aryadan Mohammed who is in charge of the Railways in the state.

According to the existing plan, the metro rail starting from Nedumbassery will end at Petta in Tripunithura. The authorities are exploring the possibilities of two routes. The first proposal is to extend the metro rail line to InfoPark at Kakkanad from Petta. The second option is to provide a connecting line from Petta to Kalamassery so that the trains will run in a circular route around the city. “We have to conduct studies about extending the project to Kakkanad. The study will start after getting the directive from the state government,” an official with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation said.

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Kerala Chief Minister:No need for anxiety with regard to Kochi Metro project

2011-06-26T07:49:00.000-07:00

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today said there was no need for any anxiety with regard to land acquisition for the much delayed Kochi Metro Rail project, which is now estimated to cost about Rs 5000 crore. The land acquisition process has to be completed within six months. The government would be formulating a new land acquisition policy keeping in mind the hardships of those who were forced to surrender their land at Moolampally, he said.

Those giving land for development projects would be entitled to various concessions and would also get market value for their land, Chandy said addressing a high level meeting of ministers, MLAs and businessmen on the Kochi Metro Rail project. The Kochi metro would be a transparent project and all information would be available on the website. Within a month, an office of the project would be opened here, he said. The government had set apart Rs 25 crore for widening of the Thammanam-Pullepady road, which would be used to divert traffic once the North overbridge, the busiest in Kochi, is widened.

Union minister K V Thomas, state minsiters-- Aryadan Mohammed, K Babu, T M Jacob, V K Ibrahim Kunju, MLAs, MPs and Kochi Mayor Toni Chammany were among those who participated in the meeting. Electricity minister, Aryadan Mohammed said government's wish was to complete the project within 4 years once it gets clearance. According to estimates, the project cost could touch Rs 5000 crore, he said. Railway officials also took part in the meeting. The Kochi Metro, to be based on the Chennai model, is being planned to run between a 26 km stretch from Aluva to Tripunithura and is expected to ease traffic woes in the state's commercial capital.

SmartCity Kochi project set to finally take off by October

2011-06-23T23:29:00.000-07:00

The much awaited SmartCity Kochi project got a fresh set of deadlines and impetus today after a meeting of the delegates from Tecom, the promoters of the SmartCity Kochi project, with the Kerala Government in Trivandrum. Tecom would reopen its Kochi office before August 31, 2011 and present the concept master plan by September. The work on the first phase 3.5 lakh sq.ft. building would start by October 31 and this would be rolled out by October 31, 2012.

Briefing the media, Chief Minister Shri Oommen Chandy said, “This is the realisation of a long cherished dream. The SmartCity Kochi project has been finalised and new deadlines have been set. The project would be carried out within the framework of the existing agreement worked out by previous Government. As any change in the agreement at this stage would further delay the project, we opted against it. However a major change is that now the Central Government SEZ norms will be applicable to this project.”

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First phase of Smart City Kochi project to be commissioned soon

2011-06-23T23:28:00.000-07:00

The first phase of the proposed mega IT project, Smart City Kochi, would be commissioned before Oct 31, 2012, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said Thursday.
The Oommen Chandy-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government, which had first finalised the project during its previous term, held its first meeting Thursday with the builder of the project, Smart City Dubai.

Addressing reporters here along with the Dubai officials, Chandy said all the issues have been cleared and an action plan for the project has been drawn up.

‘Before August 31 this year, their office that was closed down last year at Kochi would be reopened. On Oct 31, the foundation stone of the headquarter building of the project would be laid and the same day the construction work for the first phase (3.5 lakh square feet) would begin and it would be finished latest by Oct 31, 2012,’ said Chandy.

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Tecom to pump in more funds for Smartcity Kochi

2011-05-17T23:19:00.000-07:00

Tecom, the promoters of the SmartCity Kochi project, is in the process of pumping in more funds to take the project forward.

While Emirates NBD, a leading banking group in UAE, will be main financier, support finance is being sought from the Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI) Bank.

IDBI Bank had consulted one of the director board members of SmartCity Kochi to evaluate the feasibility of the project. The bank is said to have received a positive feedback.

In a letter sent to the then Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan last month, the Supreme Fiscal Committee of the Dubai government had emphasised the need to pump in further investments by SmartCity and the State government in the ratio of 84 per cent and 16 per cent respectively during the three quarters between April and December this year. The initial investment of Rs. 120 crore made by the partners had been exhausted on acquisition of land, project development cost and operating expenditure since 2007.

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Dr Baju George is the new Smart City Kochi CEO

2011-05-17T23:14:00.000-07:00

In an effort to expedite the works of Smart City, Kochi, the Tecom has decided to appoint Baju George as the managing director of the project.

It was the five-member committee headed by the supreme council of Dubai Holdings, the parent company of the Tecom, that selected Baju George as the managing director.

Baju George who is currently holding the post of project director of Dubai International Financial Centre was the project director of Smart City when it was floated.

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MA Yusufali has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the UAE government’s Zakat Fund

2011-03-16T04:13:00.000-07:00

Renowned NRI businessman MA Yusufali has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the UAE government’s Zakat Fund. The decision to appoint Yusufali at the top post was taken by the UAE Federal Government, thus making him the first Indian to decorate the position. The tenure is for three years.

The appointment of Mr Yusufali will be highly helpful for the functioning of the Zakat Fund, said Board Chairman and Minister of Justice Dr Hadif bin Juvan al Dahiri, according to reports. Eleven renowned UAE citizens have also been included in the Director Board. The Zakat Fund was launched by the UAE government in 2004 to spread the importance of the Zakat in the society and thus to strengthen human values and relations. The government reportedly allots lakhs of UAE Dirhams annually for it.

Mr MA Yusufali is the MD of the Emke Group based in Abu Dhabi which has diversified itself into several areas such shopping malls, super markets, department stores etc. The business empire of this Keralite hailing from Thrissur is spread over 29 countries in Asia and Africa, the major share being in the Gulf countries. His company is building the biggest shopping mall and convention centre in India which will reportedly be opened in Kochi in 2012.

He has recently been in news for his successful role as the mediator between the Kerala Government and the TeeCom Group in connection with the famous Smart City project in the state. The Smart City project came up during the time of the last government in 2003 but several controversies including the difference of opinion in certain conditions and the global economic crisis created fears in the realization of the dream project in Kochi. However, the final deal was signed last month and Mr Yusufali’s contributions as the mediator were highly appreciated.

Yusufali was awarded the coveted Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2008 for his contributions to commerce and industry as well as his services in the social work. He is also the recipient of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (2005), the highest award of the Indian government to the Non-Resident Indians. He is the first Asian to be a member of the Director Board of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industries, when he won an election to it in 2005. He was again elected to the body in 2009. He is also serving in a number of posts such as member of the Prime Minister’s Global Advisory Council of Overseas Indians and member of the Board of Directors of the Air India.

SmartCity Kochi:smart opportunities have come knocking at the doors of job hunters in Kerala

2011-03-15T01:56:00.000-07:00

Finally, smart opportunities have come knocking at the doors of job hunters in Kerala. Putting an end to the wait for starting the construction works of Smart City Kochi, Tecom, the promoters of the project, has invited applications to various top posts for carrying out the work.

According to www.smartcity.ae, the official website of Tecom, the company wants a construction manager, document controller and senior engineers for design, mechanical and engineering services, buildings, infrastructure and cost control.

Kochi is set to become a predominant destination for the information and communications technologies (IT/ITES) industries. Being developed as a joint venture between SmartCity, a member of Tecom Investments, and the Government of Kerala, SmartCity Kochi will be home to vibrant knowledge-economy communities worldwide, anchored by leading local, regional and global companies, the site says.

To assist in achieving this vision, SmartCity Kochi is currently recruiting resultoriented, self motivated and dynamic professionals in these disciplines, the website says.

It was after clearing many hurdles that the Tecom and the Kerala Government signed a fresh lease agreement giving a new lease of life to the Smart City Kochi on February 23. Then, on March 2, the Union Government issued a special economic zone (SEZ) notification for 131 acres of the 246 acres handed over to Smart City project. The Union Government had already given the final SEZ approval for the 131 acres. The state government has started measures to secure SEZ status for the balance 115 acres.
Tecom had made it clear that the construction work would begin immediately after the issuance of the SEZ notification.

The construction of the boundary wall and the administrative block will be started on the 131 acres of land for which the SEZ notification has been issued. The works of the master plan for the project has almost been completed.

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Kochi to get country's first health mall

2011-03-03T06:06:00.000-08:00

A one-stop solution for all medical and health needs -- from doctors, hospitals, ayurveda centres, pharmacies and even insurance referral units -- will open in a 10-storied mall in this Kerala city.

The BCG group, a Rs.500-crore business conglomerate, is building the country's first multidisciplinary health mall here and it will be open by August, a company official said Thursday.

Spread over 110,000-square feet, the mall will include retail stores dealing with pharmacy, optical ware, skin care products, cosmetics, ayurvedic, herbal, organic, health foods, health and medical equipment, Rekha C. Babu, CEO of BCG Group, told reporters.

A separate floor will be for allied services where medical colleges, hospitals, ayurvedic centres and insurance companies can set up their referral centres.

'Medical colleges that want to inform students about its facilities or a hospital which wants to educate people on latest treatment procedures can also use this space,' she said.

The fourth and fifth floors will have wellness clinics and rejuvenation centres.

'Six more multiple malls under the brand name BCG Health Square will come up across the state in the next five years. Such health malls are found in Singapore, Malaysia, the US and Europe,' she added.

The BCG Health Square will have 44 rooms in the sixth and seventh floors and private clinics on the eighth, ninth and 10th floors.

These spaces can accommodate doctors who want to set up their own independent practices with the option of utilizing centralized services like patient management desk, secretarial assistance and call monitoring managed by the company, she said.

There will also be adequate parking space.

The BCG Group was founded by Babu C. George in 1980 and forayed into real estate business in 2003.

The company has developed more than 8.5 million square feet of commercial and residential projects across Kerala, a company statement said.

The group has also diversified into education and healthcare sectors, it said.

SEZ status for 132 acres in Kochi SmartCity

2011-03-01T04:20:00.000-08:00

The Central Government Tuesday issued a directive assigning Special Economic Zone (SEZ) status for 132 acres of land at the proposed Kochi SmartCity site. The rest of 114 acres of land will get the SEZ status in ten days.

Following this, SmartCity promoter Tecom will launch construction activities at the project site.

Kochi Smart city lease deed singed

2011-02-23T01:01:00.000-08:00

The State government and the Tecom singed the lease deed for the proposed Smart city project here on Wednesday. Smart city board chairman, minister S Sarma and Abul Lathif Almulla, TECOM CEO signed the deed at the board of directors meet held here. Suresh Kumar IAS, IT principal secretary and industrialist MA Yousafali also attended the meeting. Two separate lease deeds covering the entire 246 acres. one for 131 acres and another for the rest of the 115-odd acres for the proposed Smart City Kochi project were signed.

After the meet Sarma said that all the confusions and apprehensions over the project are over now.

Vytilla Bus Terminal video

2011-02-22T22:38:00.001-08:00

SmartCity Kochi lease deed to be signed tomorrow

2011-02-22T04:24:00.000-08:00

Two lease deeds to cover entire 246 acres of project area
: Surviving a difficult period marked by speculations over the fate of the project, the proposed SmartCity Kochi project will get off the blocks this Wednesday.

Two separate lease deeds covering the entire 246 acres — one for 131 acres and another for the rest of the 115-odd acres — will be signed on Wednesday. K. Suresh Kumar, IT Principal Secretary, and Abdullatif Almulla, CEO of Tecom Investments Group, the parent company of the promoters of the project, will be the signatories.

Both the parties had agreed on the lease deeds, which the Cabinet had also cleared. Ahead of signing the fresh lease deed, the one that expired will be cancelled.

The land will also be registered in the name of SmartCity Kochi Infrastructure Pvt Ltd, the special purpose vehicle formed for the execution of the project. The government will provide registration and stamp duty exemptions as agreed at a meeting held earlier this month. The board meeting and lease deed signing was originally scheduled to be held last Wednesday. But it had to be postponed at the last minute after Mr. Almulla's son met with an accident and had to undergo an emergency surgery.

The signing of lease deeds will be preceded by a meeting of the Board of Directors of SmartCity Kochi. The meeting will be held at 9 a.m. on the Infopark Kochi campus.

According to sources, SmartCity Chief Executive Officer Fareed Abdulrahman, who is also a member of the Board of Directors, has not been included in the Tecom delegation.

However, government sources, denied that his exclusion was at the instance of the State government.

The Special Economic Zone (SEZ) notification for the plot of 131 acres, which had already been approved by the Board of Approval (BoA) of the Union Commerce Ministry, is expected within a fortnight from the day of signing the lease deed.

SEZ application for the remaining lot of land along with the SEZ Development Commissioner's approval will also be moved immediately. However, the notification was likely to take more time in this case as the application will first have to go before the BoA.

But this would not delay the project, as construction work could be launched on the 131 acres for which notification was expected soon.

With the term of the incumbent government set to expire shortly and the model code of conduct ahead of the election hardly a month away, construction in all probability would start as planned.

Source

Real Estate in Kochi ready to flourish

2011-02-18T04:49:00.000-08:00

Property developers in Kochi can look forward to brighter prospects with the International Container Transshipment Terminal at Vallarpadam being inaugurated and the hurdles cleared for the realisation of the SmartCity project.

The Rs.2,500-crore Cyber City project in the private sector will be another propellant of demand for commercial and housing property.

There has been a delay of four years in reaching the agreement on SmartCity, but the State's economy will turn upwards with the kind of development taking place, especially the Vallarpadam terminal, says Najeeb Zakaria, president, Kochi branch of Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Association of India.

The demand for housing will go up as according to rough estimates, at least 50 per cent of the people taking up the one lakh jobs directly and indirectly linked to SmartCity will require housing and half of this group are likely to make a buy, he says.

The rentals will improve considerably, which is considered one of the best indicators of vibrant commercial activity, Dr. Zakaria says. Commercial investment in housing will improve and every year, 5,000 housing units may become available.

The market has been in the revival mode for the past three to four months, says M.D. Jairaj, president of the Kerala Builders' Association. The signing of the SmartCity agreement did bring cheer in the market. There will be more takers for property now.

Source

Kochi Cyber City by HDIL to be launched today

2011-02-16T22:30:00.000-08:00

The HDIL Cyber City, a Rs.2,300-crore IT park project which will add to Kochi’s IT dreams, will be launched on Thursday by Industries Minister Elamaram Kareem.

The project is coming up in an area of 70 acres of land at the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Kalamassery. Blue Star Realtors Private Ltd, a subsidiary of the Housing Development and Infrastructure Ltd (HDIL) is the promoter of the project. The officials said 70 percent of the total built-up area was dedicated to IT infrastructure.

The project is designed to be completed in three phases. The first phase will cover the development of 2 million sq ft of IT space and it will be completed in three years. The HDIL Cyber City is expected to generate as many as 60,000 direct jobs and 1.5 lakh indirect jobs. The HDIL officials are consulting various IT firms to set up their establishments here.

Transport Minister Jose Thettayil will preside over the function, which will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday.

P Rajiv MP, MLAs A M Yousuf, V K Ibrahim Kunju, Additional Chief Secretary T Balakrishnan, Industrial Promotions Secretary Alkesh Kumar Sharma, SEZ Commissioner C J Mathew, KINFRA MD S Ramnath, Kalamassery municipal chairperson Jamal Manakkadan, vice-chairperson Aneeda Latheef and councillor Sulaikha Majeed will attend.

HDIL Cyber City

HDIL Cybercity. The Rs 4,000 crore project will be spread across an area of 70 acres and according to the promoters, it will be Keralas first integrated township housing besides IT offices, schools, residential apartments, shopping malls, multiplex, club house, service apartments and a star hotel.
The township would be divided into various zones keeping in mind the natural flow of spaces and the internal relationship of various sectors. He also added that the project would generate over Rs 425 crore of revenue for the Kerala government by way of stamp and registration duty and other taxes

Kochi Vallarpadam container terminal Corporate Videos

2011-02-16T01:53:00.000-08:00

ICTT Inauguration - Cochin Port - Video

ICTT Welcome -DP world

Tecom delegates postpone visit to Kerala

2011-02-15T06:59:00.000-08:00

TECOM delegates who were scheduled to reach Kerala today, to sign the lease agreement on the Smart City project at Kochi have postponed their visit. The visit was postponed due to the inconvenience of Tecom CEO Abdu Latif Al Mulla.

Tecom authorities informed that the date of their next visit will be informed later. The meeting is being held to discuss the outcome of talks held between the state Government and Tecom and will take measures to start the construction work at the earliest.

TECOM key to success of Smart City Kochi project

2011-02-11T22:12:00.000-08:00

Dubai has become part of Kerala's growth story with the International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) going on stream and the Smart City project getting ready for take off. Dubai has already been indirectly contributing to the development of the state by providing jobs to 350,000 people. The remittances they send have been playing a big role in sustaining the state's economy.

But economists feel that the direct investment of Rs16 billion by DP World in the ICTT at Cochin port and an estimated investment of Rs20 billion by TECOM in the Smart City at Kakkanad may help the state to catch the industrialisation bus it has missed. The ICTT inaugurated by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Friday has already attracted investment worth billions in several sectors. The investment in support infrastructure like rail and road links, warehousing, container freight stations alone is worth more than Rs26 billion.

The Cochin Port Trust's project to link ICTT with the state's main trading centres of Aleppey, Kottayam, Quilon and Kannur through inland waterways is also expected to attract substantial investment in barging. The CPT has already set up Ro-Ro terminals at Bolgatty and Willingdon Islands.

The port-based special economic zone being developed at Vallarpadam as part of the ICTT is also expected to bring in investment worth Rs75 billion. The other port-related projects in various stages of implementation are the Rs30 billion LNG Terminal at Puthuvypeen, Rs7.5 billion each single buoy mooring project of Cochin Refineries Limited (CRL) and the Cochin-Kannur-Bangalore gas pipeline of Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) and Rs3 billion cruise terminal.

Apart from these port-related investments, the ICTT and the proposed Smart City project together have spurred huge investments in tourism, realty and services sectors. Curiously many of these projects are promoted by Non-Resident Indians. The Dubai-based Emkay Group headed by Yusuf Ali is investing about Rs18 billion in a mega shopping mall-multiplex-aviation tower and hotel complex at Edapally and a convention centre-cum-five star hotel at Vallarpadam.

The stalemate in the SmartCity project was ended by Yusuf Ali by bringing the governments of Kerala government and TECOM to the negotiating table. The agreement the two sides signed in Trivandrum in the last week of December is expected to help the state to become a major IT hub in the country.

Though Kerala was the first state in the country to promote electronics, the Kerala State Electronics Development Corporation set up in the early seventies as part of that effort failed to drive the state to the resultant Information Technology. As a result, Kerala continues to be left far behind its southern neighbours in software exports. According to the official data released by the federal government, Kerala's software exports during 2009-10 were just 1 per cent of the country's total exports. Even though the state has established a number of IT parks across the state, it has not been able to attract major global players or create sizeable jobs. The total employment created by various parks together is less than 50,000.

PM inaugurates Vallarpadam Container Terminal

2011-02-10T22:26:00.000-08:00

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh dedicated to the nation the Rs 3,200-crore International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) at nearby Vallarpadam, a major expansion project of Cochin Port Trust. The rail and road projects were also inaugurated by the prime minister.

Governor R S Gavai, Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan, Defence Minister A K Antony, Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi, Union Ministers Prof K V Thomas, Dr C P Joshy, G K Vasan, Mukul Roy, E Ahamed, Mullappally Ramachandran, K C Venugopal, Kochi Port Trust chairman N Ramachandran took part in the inaugural function. Representatives from Dubai led by D P World chairman Sultan Ahamed bin Sulyaminray attended the function.
Dr Singh in his inaugural speech said the Vallarpadam terminal will develop the district. He opined that along with the project, the water transport should be given importance.

Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan, who spoke on the occasion, requested the PM to take personal interest in fulfilling the Kochi metro and Palakaad railway coach factory projects.

It will have a direct bearing on the country’s sea trade as a substantial portion of Indian container traffic presently gets transshipped through foreign ports like Colombo, Singapore and Dubai.

Since most Indian ports can handle only small ships, the mother ships would be anchored at big ports like Dubai, Singapore and Colombo and containers from India are transported to them using smaller feeder ships. Besides incurring an additional expense, this transshipment process also consumes more time.

The Vallarpadam ICTT by handling mother ships is expected to save costs by an average $ 300 per box and time of seven to ten days which would hugely benefit exports and imports.

The ICTT has been built by Dubai Ports World (DP World) on a build-operate-and-transfer (BOT) basis. DP World has invested Rs 1,600 crore in the project while the Union government, through the Cochin Port Trust, has invested an equal amount by way of bringing road and rail connectivity to the project.

CPT Chairman N Ramachandran said that according to the agreement between the CPT and DPW, the construction of the terminal, its equipment and operations would be the responsibility of DP World while providing the road and rail connectivity to the site and deepening of the shipping channels would be the CPT’s responsibility.

According to the agreement, the DPW will operate the terminal for a 30-year period after which the assets will come back to Kochi port. This apart, one-third of the gross revenue would go to the CPT and the rest to the DPW. The opening of the ICTT will increase the volume of foreign trade and exploit the cargo handling potential of Indian Railways and Konkan Railway as well as National Highways.

The terminal also opens up immense potential for allied industries like container freight stations, inland container depots, port-based SEZs, cargo through inland waterways, logistics and warehousing centres.

PM to inaugurate Kochi international container terminal tomorrow

2011-02-09T21:13:00.000-08:00

India's first International Container Trans-shipment Terminal (ICTT) in the Special Economic Zone at nearby Vallarpadam Island is all set to be dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tomorrow.

The total cost of the first and second phase of the terminal is pegged at around Rs 6,250 crore. When completed, the terminal will be able to handle 4 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of cargo per annum. The first phase of the project is ready to handle one million TEUs per annum.

The project will be operated by Dubai Port World (DPW) and aims to make Kochi a key centre in the shipping world, reducing India's dependence on foreign ports to handle trans-shipment requirements, Cochin Port sources said.

Once fully developed, the ICTT, a part of the expansion project at the Cochin Port, would be the largest individual terminal in India. As part of the project, India's longest railway bridge -- 4.62 km long -- was set up over the Vembanad Lake, thereby establishing rail connectivity to Vallarpadam from the mainland.

Port sources said ICTT will generate additional employment opportunities, facilitate investment flow to the tune of Rs 7,500 crore and help in the development of port-based industries to transform Kochi into an economic hub. However, the project is being commissioned at a time when the 326 families that were evicted for setting up the terminal at Vallarpadam are yet to get a roof over their head. Former Supreme Court Judge V R Krishna Iyer has said the move to commission the project without rehabilitating the evictees was 'shameful'.

It is three years since the families from seven villages were evicted from the project site and except four families who have built houses, the others are yet to be rehabilitated, says Francis Kallathingal, Moolampally Coordination Committee General Convenor. The families, including old women an children, live in thatched sheds and rented houses, he told PTI.

The ICTT project was taken up considering the rapid growth of container traffic in India. Due to lack of transshipment facilities in Indian ports, a substantial quantity of container traffic is transshipped through foreign transshipment terminals such as Colombo, Salalah, Dubai and Singapore, resulting in additional costs and delays ranging from seven to 10 days.

The ICTT will provide facilities for handling mother ships and thereby obviate the need for transshipment of Indian containers through other countries. This is expected to result in an average cost saving of USD 300 per box, giving huge benefits to the Export-Import industry, port authorities said.

Port officials said they are hopeful that with commissioning of the terminal, the port will be able to accommodate large-size container vessels of 8,000-TEU capacity. While DPW has invested Rs 1,600 crore, an equal amount has been put in by the central government through the Cochin Port for providing road and rail connectivity in the first phase.

As per the agreement between the Cochin Port Trust (CPT) and DPW, the construction of the terminal, its equipment and operations will be the responsibility of DPW, while providing road and rail connectivity to the project site and deepening the shipping channels will be the responsibility of the port.

Completing the project was a herculean task for the Cochin Port authorities and was made no easier by the construction of the country's longest railway bridge. About 80 per cent of the bridge is built over the backwaters using pile foundations at 133 locations. It measures about 7.5 metres above ground level after the entry and exit points, thereby allowing water channel movement and road crossings beneath it, at Mulavukkad and Chittoor.

In addition to the bridge, a new National Highway was also laid to establish road connectivity to the island. The future development of port facilities has been planned on the greenfield ports land of Puthuvypeen Island, where a Liquified Natural Gas terminal is coming up, and Vallarpadam.

Establishing the NH and rail connectivities to these port areas along with the availability of a deep channel for navigation of large size vessels will make various port development schemes such as the LNG Terminal, International Bunkering Terminal and International Ship Repair Facilities a reality, the sources said.

Among the dignitaries expected to participate in the inaugural function are Kerala Governor R S Gavai, Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan, Defence Minister A K Antony, Civil Aviation Minister Vyalar Ravi, Shipping Minister G K Vasan and Minister for Road Transport and Highways, C P Joshi.

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, the Chairman of DPW and Chairman of Dubai Port and Free Zone World, will lead the delegation from Dubai.

A Team from Tecom to visit Kerala soon for expedite the construction work of Smart City Kochi

2011-02-09T02:56:00.000-08:00

In an effort to expedite the construction work of Smart City Kochi, a team led by the CEO of Tecom Investments group Abdullatif Al Mulla will arrive in the state soon.
The director board of Smart City Kochi will meet within a few days to discuss the outcome of talks held between the state government and Tecom.

The director board will also approve various decisions related to the Smart City.
Fresh lease agreements will have to be signed between the state government and Tecom. As only 136 acres of the 246 acres have got the special economic zone status (SEZ), two separate agreements will have to be signed to lease out the two plots of 136 acres and 100 acres, respectively.

It is a prerequisite to start the construction work.

The Tecom authorities, in a press release issued in Dubai, said they would soon take steps to complete the master plan of the project.

"We are extremely happy that the project is moving forward. As mentioned in the past, the project is bigger than any issues surrounding it and the recent decisions were taken in the larger interest of the project and various stakeholders associated with it. The recent development is a reflection of our vision for Smart City Kochi and the commitment to the people of Kerala," Abdullatif Al Mulla said in the press release.
He said the immediate priority of Tecom is to sign the lease agreement for the designated land and secure the SEZ status.

"We are in the process of finalising the documentation for land registration as well as putting a process in place for the master plan work to commence," Al Mulla said.
"We are optimistic that we will be able to complete the project as planned, and are confident of fulfilling all the timebound contractual obligations mentioned in the Framework Agreement," he said.

The team will also decide on the resource allocation and appointment of the key personnel to achieve the aims of Smart City.

Via

Tecom welcomes progress in SmartCity Kochi project

2011-02-07T06:09:00.000-08:00

Tecom Investments, the promoters of SmartCity, has welcomed the progress made in the SmartCity Kochi project in resolving the deadlock which had derailed the project for over three years. The SmartCity Board Members will soon be visiting Kerala to take forward the initiative.

In a statement, Abdullatif AlMulla Group CEO, Tecom Investments said, “We are extremely happy that the project is moving forward. As mentioned in the past, the project is bigger than any issues surrounding it and the recent decisions were taken in the larger interest of the project and various stakeholders associated with it. The recent development is a reflection of our vision for SmartCity Kochi and commitment to the people of Kerala.”

“Our immediate priority is to sign the lease agreement to secure the designated land for the project which will lead to the mission critical SEZ notification of the land. We are in the process of finalising the documentation for land registration as well as putting a process in place for the master plan work to commence”, added AlMulla. He was among the UAE delegation led by Ahmad Humaid Al Tayer, Member Supreme Council for Dubai World Group & Dubai Holding Group that met the Chief Minister on February 02, 2011.

AlMulla, along with SmartCity Board Members will soon travel to Kerala to discuss the operations moving forward and decide on the resource allocation and appointment of the key personnel to achieve the vision of SmartCity Kochi as envisaged. Tecom is quite optimistic that they will be able to complete this project as planned and is confident of fulfilling all the time bound contractual obligations mentioned in the Framework Agreement.

SmartCity is a conglomerate promoted by Dubai Holding member, Tecom Investments, to develop and manage Knowledge Industry Townships Worldwide. SmartCity is based on the successful models of Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Dubai Knowledge Village and provides state-of-the-art infrastructure, environment and support systems that promote the growth of knowledge-based companies.

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Vallarpadam container terminal to be inaugurated on Feb 11

2011-02-06T05:23:00.000-08:00

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh willdedicate to the nation on February 11 the Rs 3,200-croreInternational Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) at nearbyVallarpadam, a major expansion project of Cochin Port Trust.

Dubai Ports World (DPW), the terminal''s operator, hadcompleted construction of the modern terminal which would havestate-of-the-art cargo handling equipment, Cochin Port TrustChairman N Ramachandran told reporters here.

As per the agreement between CPT and DPW, the constructionof the terminal, its equipment and operations would be theresponsibility of DPW while the port would ensure road andrail connectivity to the project site and deepening of theshipping channels.

DPW has invested close to Rs 1,600 crore for the terminaland the union government, through CPT, another Rs 1,600 crorefor the road and rail connectivity of the project taken upthrough Private Public Participation (PPP) mode.

DPW will operate the terminal for a 30-year period afterwhich the assets will come back to CPT as per the agreement,Ramachandran said adding one third of the gross revenue wouldgo to the CPT while the rest to DPW.

Emke group to invest Rs 600 cr in hotel cum convention centre in Kochi

2011-02-03T21:02:00.000-08:00

Abu Dhabi-based Emke group will invest Rs 600 crore to set up a convention centre and hotel in Kerala.

The convention centre and hotel complex is coming up in 26 acre land nearby Bolghatty.

"Talks are on with three Internationl hotel chains -- Ritz Carlton, Hyatt and Hilton group for the 7,000-room hotel complex", Chairman M A Yusuf Ali told at a press conference organised by the Ernakulam Press club here.

"Within a month, we will finalise it and by April, the work would start", he siad.

About 4,000 people would get direct employment once the hotel-cum convention centre is completed.

Kerala is a investment-friendly state, he said, besides the Rs 600 crore project, work on the Rs 1,500-crore shopping mall, claimed to be the biggest in the country, is also fast coming up here.

Eighty per cent of the work in the mall has been completed and by January next, the work is expected to start in full swing, he said.

Yusuf Ali, who has been appointed by the state government to iron out differences with the Dubai-based Tecom, promoters of the Kochi Smart city project, said he was happy that he could convince the Dubai government about the feasiblity of the Rs 1,500-crore IT infrastructure project.

Being an elected member of Abu Dhabi chamber of commerce, which is a government body, he could get appointments with the Dubai government officials for talks regarding the smart city project, he said.

When asked why Kochi Smart city CEO Fareed Abdul Rehman was not called for yesterday's talks with the state government, Yusuf Ali said it is Dubai government's decision on who should or should not come for talks.

He parried off further questions on the project saying he was not a politician.

Yusuf Ali also said his hyper mall in Egypt and its 41 staffs were safe.

Kerala Cabinet approves Kochi SmartCity treaty

2011-02-02T20:46:00.000-08:00

The much-awaited yet delayed Smart City project is all set to to take off in Kochi.

The main hurdles which had been holding up the work on Kerala’s dream project for about four years were thrashed out by the state government and Tecom Investments officials here on Wednesday morning.

This followed talks held here between Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan and Ahmed Humaid Al Tayar, governor of Dubai International Financial Centre.

Achuthanandan said that Tecom would be given freehold right on 12 per cent land but within the 246 acres which has been notified as special economic zone. This would mean that the promoters will not have the right to sell the land. Tecom’s insistence on getting the 12 per cent freehold land outside the 246 acres was the main object of disagreement between the two sides for the last three years.

It was the mediatory role played by NRI businessman M A Yusuffali that paved the way for the deal which was being projected by the Opposition UDF as a mascot of the LDF government’s inefficiency.

Addressing reporters after an hour-long meeting with the Dubai government team here, the chief minister said all the issues have been sorted out and the project which is expected to put the state on the software map was going to be a reality.

The registration of the project would be done within a week, the masterplan would be submitted within a month and work would begin in three months, according to the Dubai government representative. The deal was later ratified by the state cabinet.

Kochi Smart City to turn real; Tecom gets freehold land inside SEZ

2011-02-02T01:17:00.000-08:00

The CPM-led Left Democratic Front Wednesday reached an understanding with Tecom, the promoters of Smart City project which has been hanging fire for the past several years over the freehold land clause.

The LDF government and Chief Minister V.S. Schuthanandan who was staunchly opposed to providing freehold land have now reached an agreement to allow freehold rights in 12 per cent of the land earmarked for the project inside the Special Economic Zone.

The original framework agreement inked by Infoparks and Tecom Investment FZ-LLC and Smart City (Kochi) Infrastructure Private Limited had a clause which stated that the promoters are entitled for freehold land.

Clause 5.4 under Article 5 states: "Upon completion of master plan that determines different plots amongother things, SPV will identify plots to be converted to freehold and such plots will be converted to free hold by GoK forthwith without any further consideration or charges. Cumulative area of the plots converted to freehold will not exceed 12 % of the total land area at any point of time."

But there was lack of clarity whether the freehold land would be inside the area marked as SEZ or outside.

The government argument is that promoters will not be able to sell the freehold land which falls inside the Special Economic Zone.

The framework agreement was for declaring the entire area consisting of 246 acres of the project as Special Economic Zone (SEZ). But the Central Board of Approval for Special Economic Zone (SEZ) accorded SEZ status to an area of 136 acres of the 236 acre earmarked for the Smart City project.The reason being that the remaining area is separated by a water body and needs a separate application.

The agreement became possible after NRK businessman M.A. Yusuf Ali met officials of the Dubai Supreme Fiscal Committee, Tecom and convinced them of the government.

Via

Today’s meet may end deadlock of Smartcity Kochi

2011-02-01T22:04:00.000-08:00

A breakthrough in the deadlock over the Smart City Kochi project is likely on Wednesday with the Governments of Kerala and Dubai having a one to one discussion. A delegation led by member of Supreme Committee for Dubai World Group and Dubai Holding Group Ahmed Humaid Al Tayer will be holding a meeting with Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan at his official residence at 12 noon. It will be followed by a formal meeting at the Mascot Hotel here.

Highly placed sources in the State Government said that the Government would be offering free hold rights over 12 percent of the total land earmarked for the project, but within the special economic zone. The delegation representing the Dubai Government is likely to accept this.

NRK businessman M A Yusuf Ali had already held deliberations with the Dubai Government representatives. Yusuf Ali is also likely to be part of the Dubai Government delegation. The Dubai Government delegation will also include TECOM group chief executive officer Abdul Latif Al Mulla and deputy chief executive officer of SmartCity Kochi Adnan Chilwan. ‘’If an understanding is reached on Wednesday’s meeting, the construction works for the SmartCity Kochi project could begin in another month,’’ IT Secretary Suresh Kumar said.

The talks over the SmartCity Kochi project had been on a standstill over the past couple of years after the TECOM authorities insisted on free hold over 12 percent of the land, around 30 acres, outside the SEZ. The memorandum of understanding for the SmartCity project was signed

in May 2007 and a lease agreement for 246 acres of land for the project was signed in November 2007. However, the project could not take off owing to the free-hold issue.

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Al Tayer to visit Kerala to salvage Smart City Kochi project

2011-01-31T02:33:00.000-08:00

DIFC Governor will meet Kerala officials on February 2
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Governor Ahmad Humaid Al Tayer is visiting Kerala in a last attempt to salvage the Smart City Kochi project.

In a meeting held with UAE-based Indian businessman M A Yusuf Ali on Sunday evening, Al Tayer is said to have discussed the agenda for the crucial meeting the State government of Kerala is scheduled to have on February 2.

The Smart City project which was initially agreed to in 2003 has been delayed due to various stumbling blocks, the latest being the dispute over freehold rights over 12 per cent of the land.

According to reports, an understanding is said to have been reached between both parties, Tecom and the State government of Kerala to allow freehold rights over 12 per cent of the land earmarked for the project.

While Tecom has been demanding that freehold rights for 12 per cent of the land outside the Special Economic Zone, Kerala is opposed to this.

Ali, who was recently appointed by Kerala as a mediator, speaking to Emirates 24|7 after last evening's meeting with Al Tayer, said he was very confident that the issues will be resolved soon and the project would become a reality.

“The team will be flying out to Kerala on Tuesday in a special chartered flight. The meeting with the governor was very constructive and we are all very hopeful that the all the disputes will be sorted in Wednesday's meeting,” said Ali.

Source

Kochi SmartCity: Dubai Government official to visit Kerala

2011-01-20T04:21:00.000-08:00

In a last-ditch bid to end stalemate over the SmartCity IT project in Kochi, a senior representative of the Dubai government is expected to visit Kerala shortly to iron out differences between the state government and Dubai-based Tecom, the partner for the venture.

Confirming the reports in this regard, Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan told reporters here today that the Dubai authorities had expressed wish for a discussion and the government had accepted it.

He, however, said no date had been fixed for the visit.

State Registration Minister S Sarma, who is also Chairman of the SmartCity Kochi, had yesterday said a representative of the Dubai Supreme Fiscal Committee (DFSC) had expressed wish to hold talks with the government to end the logjam over the project.

The proposed meeting was the result of mediatory talks held with Tecom and the Dubai government by a leading Keralite entrepreneur based in the Gulf, who has been acting as a mediator between the two sides to save the long-pending project.

SmartCity Kochi was envisaged as a joint venture project to set up a knowledge industry hub some five years back.

Though the government acquired about 240 acres of land for it and a framework agreement signed, the project has failed to take off due to differences between the two sides over the ownership of part of the land.

While the Dubai partners wanted free-hold right over some portion of the land, the LDF government in the state had firmly declined to accept the demand holding it was not part of the original agreement.

The government had also given repeated warnings to the Dubai company that if the project was delayed inordinately it would not hesitate to seek another partner or go ahead with the project on its own.

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Kerala Govt. will hold direct consultations with (DSFC) in a final attempt to Smartcity Kochi

2011-01-20T03:43:00.000-08:00

The State government will hold direct consultations with the Dubai Supreme Fiscal Committee (DSFC) in a final attempt to find a solution to the stalemate over the proposed SmartCity Kochi project.

The move is considered a clear indication on the part of the government that it wants to take up the issue at the level of the Dubai government rather than talking to SmartCity, promoters of the project.

Talking to The Hindu over phone on Wednesday night, Registration Minister S. Sarma, who is also the chairman of SmartCity Kochi, confirmed reports of such a meeting soon.

He, however, said the date for the meeting was yet to be finalised. Some television channels had reported that a representative of the DSFC would visit the State to hold consultations with the Chief Minister next week.

Asked whether the meeting was a final attempt on the part of the government to take the project forward with the Dubai-based promoters, Mr. Sarma responded in the affirmative.

He said the meeting was an outcome of the mediatory talks held by government-appointed mediator and NoRKA Roots vice-chairman M.A. Yousuf Ali.

He said the government had informed the DSFC of its willingness for a meeting (to find a solution to the stalemate over the project).

Mr. Ali had, during the course of his mediation, held talks with Ahmad Humaid Al Tayer, Supreme Fiscal Committee member of the Dubai government, on December 23.

Mr. Sarma expressed optimism of holding the discussions in a friendly atmosphere and taking the project forward.

He, however, said the government was resolute about not compromising on the original framework agreement.

The meeting, he said, would seek a solution without deviating from the agreement. He reiterated that the government would not go back on its stand that freehold rights could not be granted to promoters with the right to sell the land.

Asked whether the government would insist that the entire 246 acres identified for the project be inside a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), Mr. Sarma said that it was how the framework agreement perceived the project.

SmartCity CEO Fareed Abdulrahman, in his last press meeting, had said that there was no freehold within a SEZ hinting that the land over which they sought freehold rights should be outside the ambit of the SEZ.

Via

SmartCity Kochi Decision within two days: Minister S.Sharma

2011-01-18T02:58:00.000-08:00

A decision on the future of the SmartCity project will be taken within two days, S.Sharma, Minister for Fisheries said on Tuesday. A discussion was held in Dubai on Monday regarding the project he said. The minister said that the government is hopeful towards the implementation of the project.

Sharma said that the LDF government is not ready to compromise on its earlier terms regarding the controversial project.

Now, a litigation over Kochi's name

2011-01-17T21:34:00.001-08:00

The Kerala High Court on Monday admitted a public interest litigation contending that no area other than Cochin Corporation, and those included in Kochi taluk, should be called Cochin.

The petitioner submitted that the names Kochi and Cochin confuse those coming from outside the state.

For flight ticket bookings, the name of Kochi is shown as Cochin. The name of railway station is still known as Ernakulam.

The distinction between Kochi, Cochin and Ernakulam are confusing the outsiders, and in the circumstances it requires clarification.

"The area coming within the Cochin Corporation area, other than those included in Kochi taluk, cannot be called Cochin unless the government issues a notification officially changing the name of the Cochin Corporation," the petitioner submitted.

KSRTC is planning to introduce luxury double decker buses in Kochi

2011-01-05T01:44:00.000-08:00

Sky City and flyovers may be a distant dream for Kochiites but they may soon have the pleasure of travelling in double decker buses. The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is planning to introduce luxury double decker buses in Kochi on the lines of double-deckers operating in London, New York and Dubai.

The body building of new double deckers is in the final stage in Mumbai and is being built by Ashok Leyland for the KSRTC. During the first phase, the KSRTC will ply the double decker buses in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi cities.

The service of the new double deckers is expected to start in February. However, the routes of the double deckers in Kochi have not been finalised.

The double decker bus worth about Rs 33 lakh will have a seating capacity for 75 passengers. The first bus will be operated in Thiruvananthapuram on the Peroorkada, Sasthamangalam, Medical College and Shanghumugham routes.

KSRTC’s double deckers with fluid clutches and automatic lubrication instead of clutch pedal being operated on the Peroorkada, Sasthamangalam, Medical College and Shanghumugham routes are still an inevitable part of Thiruvananthapuram city. “The gorgeous old war horses of KSRTC were an integral part of the Corporation’s rich tradition.

The new double decker bus can be used for sightseeing. It will run as stage carriage services in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi. We have not reached a final decision on the fare,” KSRTC executive director (technical) O P Antony told ‘expresso.’ If the attempt by the KSRTC becomes a hit, it is planning to buy more double deckers for conducting services in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi.
Source

These buses would be running by charging ordinary fare and the routes for Kochi have not been finalised. the first bus will be operated in Thiruvananthapuram on the Peroorkada, Sasthamangalam, Medical College and Shanghumugham routes.

Double decker buses worth Rs-32.5 lakhs will be having the seating capacity of 75 passengers. Double decker from Ashok Leyland is a mass transportation bus and is best suited for intra city movement. The vehicle has a 6 cylindered turbo charged inter cooled diesel engine with a maximum power of 132 PS @ 2400 RPM.
Double decker has a 5 speed synchromesh gear box and a maximum speed of 75 Kmph. The model is equipped with a power steering and dual line full air brakes.

KSRTC is also planning to re-introduce the old warhorse which was ruling Thiruvananthapuram (TR 666). A proposal has been mooted to convert the buses into tourist-friendly ones for sightseeing. The tourism industry has been demanding open-roofed double-deckers for sight seeing in the city. The proposal was on the lines of double-deckers operating in London, New York and Dubai for sightseeing

Kochi Smart City issue: Dubai Government to intervene

2011-01-02T20:55:00.000-08:00

The Dubai Government will put pressure on Tecom, the promoter of the project, to remove the hurdles obstructing the launch of the Smart City, here.

This is on the basis of the talks held by Indian UAE envoy M K Lokesh with the Dubai Government.

Tecom had been demanding freehold right over 12 percent of the land, which was opposed by the Kerala Government. M A Yusuf Ali had recently held talks with the Tecom to find a solution to the issue. Meanwhile, it is learnt that Fareed Abdul Rahman will continue as the CEO of Smart City.

Arbitration will be our last resort: Smart City Dubai

2010-12-31T02:41:00.000-08:00

The deadlock between the Kerala government and Smart City Dubai continued over the fate of the proposed Rs.1,500 crore Smart City Kochi project, with the latter making it clear that arbitration would be their last resort.

As expected, the 23rd board meeting of Smart City Kochi held here Friday, ended in 20 minutes only with no decision taken on the contentious issue of giving 12 percent free hold rights to Smart City Dubai - the builders of the project.

In the post-meeting press conference, the two parties continued to stick to their respective stands.

"What matters to us is to maintain good relations and hence we expect that a solution will come out. The question of going legal or to an arbitrator is our last resort," said Smart City Dubai and Smart City Kochi CEO Fareed Abdulrahman.

He also clarified that UAE-based businessman M.A. Yousuf Ali, who held talks with them, is not a mediator but only a government representative.

However, Smart City Kochi chairman and State Fisheries Minister S. Sarma said: "The talks between Ali and Smart City Dubai is progressing well. But the government, under no cost, will deviate from the policy decision that no land in the project can be sold. We expect that in two weeks time, we will get a reply from them."

It was more than three years back that the foundation stone for the project was laid and since then no progress has been made over the issue of granting 12 percent free hold rights to the builders outside of the 246 acres of the proposed project site.

Kochi Smart City promoter prepared to wait for 2 more months only, Kerala govt firm on stand

2010-12-30T23:31:00.000-08:00

The Dubai based builders Tecom has made made it clear that it would wait for only another two months for the state government's nod to go ahead wth the Kochi Smart City project.

Fareed Abdul Rahman CEO of Smart City project said that it involves crores of rupees and if no progress is made in this regard within two months legal steps would be pursued. He was talking to reporters here Friday before the board of directors' meeting.

Abdul Rahman said that M A Yusuf Ali is not a mediator for the issues related to Smart City project. He is a representative of the government. The government used the word 'representative', he insisted.

He said that he is ready to hold talks with Yusuf Ali in his capacity as a representative. A mediator should be a person who is acceptable to both the parties and he should be selected through a joint discussion held between the two parties. Nothing of that sort has happened, he said.

Director Board meeting of Kochi Smartcity tomorrow in Kochi

2010-12-30T02:17:00.000-08:00

The Smart City Board of Directors meeting will take place tomorrow at Kochi. Smart City CEO Fareed Abdul Rahman and the newly appointed IT Secretary K Suresh Kumar will take part in the meeting.

This was the first meeting after Yousaf Ali had been appointed as the mediator by the State Government to hold talks with TECOM on the Smart City project.

K Suresh Kumar IAS is the new Secretary of Kerala Department of IT

2010-12-23T01:07:00.000-08:00

K Suresh Kumar, a 1989 batch Kerala Cadre IAS Officer has been appointed as the new Secretary of the Department of Information Technology, Government of Kerala. He replaces Dr. Ajay Kumar IAS, Principal Secretary (IT) who is joining the Department of IT at the Centre as Joint Secretary.

Suresh Kumar, more popularly known as Chief Minister Shri V S Achuthanandan’s ‘Man Friday’, has been brought in to untangle the mess of the proposed SmartCity Kochi project. Incidentally, the CM also holds the IT portfolio.

Suresh is known for courting controversies in most his previous postings in the State.

His role as the Team Leader of the Munnar demolition mission had earned the wrath of the CPM State Secretariat. His appointment by the CM is sure to ruffle the feathers of the CPM State leadership.

Suresh was the Secretary, Official Languages prior to this posting. He has also been the MD of the State Cooperative Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development; Director of Fisheries and also District Collector, Wayanad.

Source

Kerala CM still optimistic on Kochi Smart city project

2010-12-20T01:07:00.001-08:00

State Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan has today expressed optimism on the successful implementation of the much awaited Smart city project in Kochi. Speaking to the media persons in Thiruvananthapuram today, VS opined that the smart city project would be implemented without providing any free hold land right.

While State Fisheries Minister and Smart City Chairman S Sarma had earlier informed that the talks held between MA Yousaf Ali and Tecom authorities, in connection with the Smart City project will be briefed to Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan.

The next Cabinet meeting would discuss the chances of the project after the discussion with CM, Sarma said. Ali held two rounds of talks with the authorities of TECOM.
Earlier, Tecom CEO Fareed Abdul Rahman stated that they were interested to implement the project as per the existing agreement and said they have informed their stand to Ali.

Kochi Gold and Diamond Park

2010-12-16T20:49:00.000-08:00

Delhi-based Aerens Gold Souk International today said it is setting up a 33-acre Gold and Diamond Park at a cost of Rs 450 crore at nearby Kalamassery. The park is conceived as a landmark for jewellery manufacturers, retailers, artisans, exporters and wholesalers to interact, network, source and promote business prospects, a company release said Thursday.

Aerens Gold Souk International Vice-Chairman and Joint Managing Director Ashish Gupta said the manufacturing facility at the park will be ready by September 2011 and it may take three more years to complete the project.

The new venture will help facilitate standardisation in the industry, creation of products that are acceptable in international markets, provide steady employment opportunities and make available latest technologies with a view to preserving Kerala's traditional jewellery industry.

"Encouraged by the success of the Gold Souk Grande mall in Kochi, we plan to set up two more malls at Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode with an investment of Rs 150 crore each. The company has spent Rs 100 crore for the Kochi project," he said. Aerens Gold Souk Group is a four decade old diversified conglomerate that has interests in real estate, retail, entertainment and hospitality sectors.

Source

Vyttila Mobility Hub

2010-12-16T01:56:00.000-08:00

Vyttila Mobility Hub is an integrated transit terminal in the city of Kochi.. It is designed as a converging point of various forms of public transportation, such as local and long distance buses, metro rail and water transport. The first phase, consisting of the terminal for long distance buses and the basic amenities, started construction in December, 2010. When fully implemented, it will have facility to integrate all modes of public transportation, as well as for shopping, entertainment and hospitality.

The tenders for the construction of first phase has been granted to Nagarjuna constructions from among seven companies which submitted tenders. The selection was on account of quoting the lowest amount for the execution of the project and the first phase of the project be completed by February 2011. After completion it will be largest bus terminus in the Kerala state and third largest in South India.

Work on Vytilla mobility hub inaugurated
State Fisheries Minister S. Sarma inaugurated the construction work of Vytila Mobility Hub in Kochi today. The project aims at solving a good share of commuting problems in the city by creating amenities in and around the Vytilla Junction, by integrating different modes of transport like roadways, metro rail, railways and waterways.

From Vytilla, public transport systems can provide connectivity with the western and eastern parts of the city, West Kochi, and also regional hubs like Vypeen, Palarivattom, Kakkanad, Thripunithura and Aroor. Vytilla is also well- connected with National Highways 47, 17 and 49, the seaport and the airport.

The proposed metro rail passes through the junction and National Waterway III is located close by. By basing operations in Vytilla, the KSRTC and private buses would be able to save huge amounts on fuel, apart from the time saved in not entering the city. Thus, the Vytilla mobility hub has evolved as a natural remedy and is envisioned as a long-term solution to Kochi’s transporting problems.

http://www.vyttilamobilityhub.com

Kochi Smart City: Decision on next Cabinet, says Sarma

2010-12-16T01:44:00.001-08:00

State Fisheries Minister and Smart City Chairman S Sarma today said that the talks held between MA Yousaf Ali and Tecom authorities, in connection with the Smart City project will be briefed to Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan.

The Cabinet will discuss the chances of the project after the discussion with CM, Sarma said. Ali held two rounds of talks with the authorities of TECOM.
Earlier, Tecom CEO Fareed Abdul Rahman stated that they were interested to implement the project as per the existing agreement and said they have informed their stand to Ali.

Meantime, Yousaf Ali said that he will hold talks with the Chief Minister on Saturday.

Kerala keen to take Kochi Smart City project forward

2010-12-14T18:26:00.000-08:00

Kerala govt for citizen-oriented IT policy.

The Kerala government is making earnest efforts to realise the SmartCity project in Kochi, promoted as a joint venture with the Dubai-based Tecom, said Fisheries Minister S Sarma here today.

Talking to mediapersons on the sidelines of India ICT Summit-2010, Sarma, who is also the chairman of SmartCity, said the government welcomed mediatory role played by MA Yousuf Ali, director of Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to resolve the differences of opinion between Tecom and state government.
He however declined to comment on the details or conditions of talks between Yousuf Ali and Tecom representatives.

Inaugurating the conference, Sarma said the state was now ideally placed for rapid development of the IT sector. The IT industry in Kerala has registered significant growth in exports during the last few years. The exports grew to Rs 2,412 crore in 2009-10 from Rs 141 crore in 2001-02.

He also stressed the need for a common man-friendly IT policy in the state. “The state needs an IT policy which should bring the welfare services of the government to the common people. The IT sector needs to have an orientation towards the common people.”

Delivering the keynote address, Ajay Kumar, principal secretary (IT), said Kerala’s contribution to the national IT export basket has increased from one percent to two percent now. Small and medium IT industries have a major role to address the rural and domestic markets. According to him, availability of land is the major advantage for Kerala, regarding the development of IT parks.

S Mahalingam, executive director and CFO of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), stressed the need to assess the preparedness of the industry for the changing technological trends. He said TCS has plans to recruit 35,000 people from campuses next year. “We have a detailed plan for expansion and we will be hiring more people as part of the expansion programme,” he added.

IT services major Infosys Technologies managing director and CEO Kris Gopalakrishnan said the state is emerging as an attractive and investor friendly location. Kerala need to focus on theme-based IT parks. “If we can focus on a particular theme for each of the upcoming IT parks, it can attract more entrepreneurs of that particular industry. It is more of creating clusters or embedded systems of industries”, he added.

Gopalakrishnan also suggested that Kerala create a unique brand about the quality of life offered for the employees in the IT sector. “With its natural beauty and unique concepts like Ayurveda, the state can easily create a unique brand, which can attract high spending IT employees”.

Kerala Government received a reply from TECOM

2010-12-02T00:53:00.000-08:00

The government today received a reply from TECOM, the promoters of the SmartCity project. Tecom’s letter stated that they are keen in implementing the proposed project. Tecom has stated this in a press release handed over to the media.

TECOM has invited government delegates along with Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan for further talks if they are interested in the project. They invited the chief minister for holding talks in Dubai. Tecom further added that they were keen to solve the difference in opinion for the much awaited Smart city project in Kochi.

TECOM, the promoters of the project, has been asking for 12% freehold land right whereby they will even be able to sell the land. TECOM had announced that jobs would be offered to 90,000 persons, when the project is ready. But, so far not even a single person has obtained any job. They are delaying the project by raising unnecessary things.

As of now, Smart City project is clouded by uncertainties. If it fails, then it could bring about a big loss, both in money-wise and employment-wise and the sole responsibility will be the politics in Kerala.

Yet Another 'final' letter on SmartCity Kochi project to be sent to Tecom: Kerala CM

2010-11-29T22:02:00.000-08:00

The Kerala government is all set to handover a letter again to the Tecom company as a final warning for clarifying its stance regarding the much awaited Smart city project in Kochi. The decision was taken in the cabinet meeting held today.

TECOM, the promoters of the project, has been asking for 12% freehold land right whereby they will even be able to sell the land. TECOM had announced that jobs would be offered to 90,000 persons, when the project is ready. But, so far not even a single person has obtained any job. They are delaying the project by raising unnecessary things.

As of now, Smart City project is clouded by uncertainties. If it fails, then it could bring about a big loss, both in money-wise and employment-wise and the sole responsibility will be the politics in Kerala.

NRI consortium gives hope for Smart City Kochi project

2010-11-27T00:40:00.000-08:00

Amidst widespread rumours regarding the state government withdrawing from the agreement on the Smart City project with Tecom, an Abu Dhabi-based NRI consortium has come forward eyeing the project.

With the Smart City project getting delayed for a long time, the state government is considering alternatives. The NRI consortium stands a better chance as the controversial clause of ‘freehold’ does not figure in their wish list.
Sources in the NRI team confirmed that they have already held a discussion in this regard with certain officials. The team plans to meet the state government officials and will communicate to the government that they are ready to invest according to the terms of reference set by the government.

Sources said the consortium has already consulted a firm experienced in setting up special economic zones (SEZs) in India. According to the firm’s advice, the consortium has decided to prepare a business proposal. A sum of `1 crore has been set apart to conduct a study with a firm called KPMG, in Abu Dhabi. A detailed feasibility report (DFR) will be prepared on various aspects of the project.
“When a Union Minister visited Abu Dhabi, the NRI team expressed its interest to invest in the Smart City project if the agreement between the state government and Tecom does not work. It was based on the minister’s instruction that we contacted the office of Registration Minister S Sarma and the SEZ office in Kochi. We have already formed a core group to deal with the project,” sources in the Abu Dhabi team told Express.

According to the initial concept, the draft report will be prepared by March 2011. “We need to identify a co-developer. The financial model will be finalised by May 2011 and a potential financial partner will be identified. A report will be submitted to the state government by June 2011. The land acquisition will be made by the end of the year,” the sources said.

The team is planning a public issue of shares through the stock market. The project cost has been fixed at `2,100 crore, of which half the amount will be bank loans. The team is looking for development without sales rights.
The concept began when some of the members of the consortium met at an alumni meet in Kerala.
“We communicated with others who had similar interests. A company has not been registered yet as we are planning to take a final decision after the feasibility study,” sources said. A final picture on the initiative taken by the consortium will be made by June 2011.

Highly placed sources said two business magnates from Kerala who have already established vast business networks in India and abroad are also behind the initiative.

With discussions between the government and Tecom reaching a dead end, the NRI consortium is hopeful of taking over the project.

KSEB denies SmartCity allegation

2010-11-27T00:38:00.000-08:00

The KSEB has claimed that it has not constructed any structures as part of the proposed 1026-mW gas-based power plant at Brahmapuram on the 100 acres of land that was to have been handed over to SmartCity.

Sources in SmartCity had alleged that some unauthorised construction was being carried out in the land proposed to be allotted to it.

KSEB official said that the board had not made any civil works in connection with the power project as it was still on the drawing table. Even the foundation stone for the project had not been laid; hence there was no question of building any structures as part of the project now.

Skycity Kochi

2010-11-26T01:03:00.000-08:00

What is Skycity Kochi Project?
Yasoram Skycity is a Flyover, designed with the prime intention of reducing traffic in Kochi City and for boosting tourism and economic activity of the region.

The Skycity will extend from Kundannoor near NH 47 Byepass in the south to Sahodaran Ayyappan Road in the north, passing above the Chilavannoor Bund Road and the Backwaters. Another stretch of the Skycity will extend from the Sahodaran Ayyappan Road to the Subhash Chandrabose Road

Flyover bridge that runs 30 ft above land and backwaters
3 storied shopping complexes, residential apartments and commercial hubs
Supermarkets, community halls, entertainment multiplexes, restaurants, hotels, garment and jewellery showrooms, two and three wheeler automobile showrooms etc.
Corporate offices, business centres, IT/ITES and BPO operations, Banking and financial institutions etc.
Amusement centres, health centres, water sports facility, oceanarium, theme park
12 m wide 4 lane expressway
5 m wide car parking on both sides of the road and additional car parking on the building top – facility can accomodate 7,500 cars in all
2 m wide footpaths on both sides
6.6 m wide building on base floor and 8.6 m wide building on the first and second floors on both sides
Cable car at an 80 ft height offering panoramic view of Kochi city

Source

Sobha Hi-Tech City:Rs 5,000 cr Kochi project on course

2010-11-23T23:08:00.000-08:00

Bangalore-based realty major Sobha Developers has said its Rs 5,000 crore hi-tech city project in Kochi is delayed as the company is awaiting clearances from the central government.

While necessary state approvals are in, the clearances from the Centre under the Coastal Regulation Management Act and environmental clearances are yet to be attained, Sobha Developers senior official Mr Mathew Francis said. The mega project was to come up at Maradu village on Kochi outskirts.

“On receipt of these clearances only, the master plan for the project can be submitted for final approval,” Mr Francis, who is the area head, said.

Way back in August 2007, Sobha had inked an MoU with Kerala to build a Rs 5,000 crore ‘Sobha Hi-Tech City’ The pact involved the company developing a 400 acre and the state had agreed to bring the project under single-window clearance, besides agreeing t o provide electricity, gas, water, sewerage system, telecom etc.

The project would offer seven million sqft of knowledge park, shopping malls and avenues, hotels, resorts and leisure and entertainment facilities, residential complexes and all related infrastructure including world-class marina.

On completion, the ‘Sobha Hi-Tech City’ is expected generate 75,000 direct jobs. The project was initially proposed to be completed in eight years.

On the heels of company selling its 50 acres in prime Pune IT corridor for Rs 114 crore, a section of media has reported that the company was thinking of monetising the huge swathe of land near the commercial capital of Kerala.

Dismissing these reports as baseless, Mr Francis said that the company is not abandoning the mega project.

If stayed on course, this would be one of the largest investments in the otherwise investment-starved Kerala.

Meanwhile, the first phase of Sobha City in neighbouring Thrissur is is already complete, Mr Francis said.

The Sobha City spans over 55 acres and consists of 18 lakh sq ft of residential space and over five lakh sq ft of commercial space. The group has 80 acres of land in Thrissur and it is awaiting government approval for the remaining 25 acres.

Mr Francis said the company reported a two-fold jump in net profit at Rs 58.9 crore for the quarter ended September. - PTI

Source

Smart City Kochi project should go on with Dubai Government, demands Congress

2010-11-18T19:00:00.000-08:00

The Congress’s Kerala unit Thursday demanded that the proposed Rs.1,500-crore Smart City Kochi mega IT project should go ahead with the participation of the Dubai government.

Addressing reporters here, Leader of Opposition Oommen Chandy said this project has to go ahead with the Dubai government because it is an international venture.

“If the state government does anything without them, then it is not going to be a Smart City. This project has been hanging fire for a few years now, and knowing the importance of this mega project, we had offered our full support to see that this project becomes a reality,” he said.

Chandy’s reaction came after the V.S. Achuthanandan-led Left Front government Tuesday announced that very soon it will decide on the fate of the project and would not hesitate to go ahead with the project without Smart City Dubai.

The first round of talks between the Kerala government and TECOM, the venture of the Dubai government which had set up Smart City Dubai, took place between 2004-06 when Chandy was the chief minister, and it was near the end of his tenure that the proposal for Smart City Kochi was inked.

But following stiff opposition from the then leader of opposition V.S.Achuthanandan, who contended that Smart City Dubai had no experience in IT and was merely a real estate company, Chandy did not go ahead with the project - even after the Kerala High Court gave him the green signal.

But Achuthanandan, after becoming the chief minister in 2006, inked the proposal again with Smart City Dubai in 2007, just ahead of the first anniversary of his government.

Three years later and after 22 director board meetings of Smart City Kochi, the Kerala government has been adamant that under no circumstances can the freehold property, which Smart City Dubai will be getting for the project, be sold.

Smart City Dubai is sticking to the agreement which accords to it 12 percent freehold rights.

Smart City Kochi: Kerala to take final decision Tuesday (16th November 2010)

2010-11-15T04:52:00.000-08:00

Fisheries Minister S. Sarma Monday said that the state Cabinet will take the final decision on the Smart City project in Kochi.

The government doesn't agree with the demand of Dubai-based firm TECOM for free hold land, he said.

The stands taken by the company are not in tune with the agreements signed by the two parties, he said.

Sarma, talking to the newspersons here, said that the company stands firm by its demand for having free hold on 12 per cent of the land as it was reiterated in a recently received letter too.

TECOM inaugurate first office building at SmartCity Malta

2010-11-01T22:12:00.000-07:00

TECOM Investments, a member of Dubai Holding, has achieved a major milestone with the official inauguration of the first office building (SCM01) at SmartCity Malta. The dedicated IT business park is TECOM Investments' first overseas venture undertaken by SmartCity, TECOM Investments' international business parks developer.

Among those attending the inauguration were Malta's Prime Minister Dr Lawrence Gonzi, Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt, Dubai Holding CEO Ahmad Bin Byat, TECOM Investments' Group CEO Abdullatif AlMulla, and SmartCity Chief Executive Officer Fareed Abdulrahman.

Speaking at the inauguration, Dr Gonzi said: "We are today witnessing the beginning of a renaissance for Malta and for our economy. SCM01 is yet another symbol of Malta's investment attractiveness, strong economic fundamentals and potential. This is the realisation of a dream. A dream that sees Malta become a regional and global player in ICT."

The SmartCity Malta model is based on TECOM Investments' successful business parks, including Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Dubai Knowledge Village.

Bin Byat said SmartCity Malta is a testimony to the strong bond that exists between TECOM Investments and the Maltese government. He added: "Our joint intention is to develop SmartCity Malta into a major new centre of excellence for knowledge based companies. I believe SmartCity Malta will make a significant contribution to Malta's economy, by opening up new development avenues, specifically in the IT and IT-enabled services sectors."

The delivery of the 12,000 square metres of office space, three years after the announcement of the ambitious project, marks the end of the first phase of the construction of SmartCity Malta.

AlMulla said: "This is the first international project to become operational for TECOM Investments. I am confident this is the first of many projects we will launch worldwide. SmartCity Malta will help to facilitate UAE-based companies expansion into Europe, in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai."

SmartCity Malta is the centerpiece of Malta's transformation from an old economy based on low-cost manufacturing to a new economy based on information and communication technology (ICT). It will generate 5,600 jobs and create more than 105,000 sq m of office space for ICT, media companies and related services.

The entire development is designed to enable knowledge-based companies to maximize their growth potential. While companies will benefit from high-quality infrastructure and support systems, knowledge workers will gain an ideal environment to work, network, and exchange ideas and industry information.

Source

SmartCity Kochi project not shelved, says CEO

2010-10-20T07:48:00.000-07:00

SmartCity Kochi project, the planned IT township in the Indian state of Kerala to be developed by SmartCity, a subsidiary of Tecom Investments, has not been shelved, the head of SmartCity has said.

SmartCity Kochi is a joint venture between SmartCity and the Government of Kerala, spread on an area of 246 acres.

“The project has not been shelved. However, there are a lot of documentation and formalities that have to be finished before we start the project. For example, since the project is planned to be a Special Economic Zone [SEZ], SmartCity has to fulfill various criteria. Once we meet these criteria we’ll be able to get an SEZ status,” Fareed Abdulrahman, CEO, SmartCity, Dubai, told Emirates 24|7.

However, he said there are many issues that need to be sorted out.

“For instance, there is the issue of SEZ. As part of the agreement between SmartCity and the Government of Kerala signed on May 13, 2007, there has to be only one SEZ in the project, but later it was rejected and we were told that we’ve to split one SEZ into two or three SEZs,” he said.

Additionally, Abdulrahman said there is the issue of freehold land rights that was made clear in the framework agreement, but now the authorities are in denial mode of providing the freehold rights to us.

There are other issues as well such as stamp duty exemption, shifting of the PWD (public works department) road that has to be shifted so that we can apply for an SEZ status, since SEZ land has to be devoid of any construction or structure.

However, Abdulrahman added: “Negotiations are underway between us and the Government of Kerala to remove the hurdles and start the project. We have put forward a number of suggestions and proposals to the authorities in Kerala on how to move ahead towards resolving these issues, but we’re yet to receive a positive response. From our side, the responses have been positive and we remain committed to the project.”

SmartCity is a global network of self-sustained townships for knowledge-based industries based on the model of Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Dubai Knowledge Village. Currently, SmartCity’s projects are SmartCity Malta and SmartCity Kochi. Phase I of SmartCity Malta was launched on October 10.

“Soon we’re going to start the Phase II of the project after the tender process gets over and after we get a few permits,” Abdulrahman said.

In Kochi, he said, SmartCity has so far invested in land acquisition, master-planning and the design of the project.

“Additionally, we’ve finished the fencing of the entire project land and are also marketing the project even though the project has not started,” he added.

Asked when does he believe the project will take off, he said: “As far as we’re concerned, we expect that by the first half of next year the project has to start. We are of the belief that India has a lot of potential and we don’t believe there are any choices left before us.”

“We’re committed to finish off one SmartCity project, deliver it, and then move to building another such project in other Indian cities,” he added.

Source

Tecom successfully launched Smartcity Malta

2010-10-13T07:44:00.000-07:00

Even as the stalemate over Kerala's mega IT infrastructure project SmartCity Kochi gets more complex, Tecom, the enstranged investment partner of the project, has successfully launched a similar project in Malta.

SmartCity Malta (SCM) was inaugurated in Ricasoli by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi on Sunday with the chief executive officer of Dubai Holding Ahmad Bin Byat and Tecom Investment Group's CEO Abdullatif Al Mulla also present.

The first phase of SCM will have 12,000 sqm of office space targeted at international, regional and local companies, according to a company release.

Meanwhile, the fate of SmartCity Kochi project hangs in the balance with the state government and Tecom each sticking to their positions.

The state government had issued an ultimatum to Tecom in June with a view to terminate the contract with the Dubai company and ultimately to expel it from the project. The government had prepared the letter after hectic legal consultations in order to avoid loopholes in it.

In a recent reply to the letter, Tecom has said that it has a real interest in commencing the project and has no plans to back out of it. The state fisheries minister and chairman of the joint venture company between the Kerala government and Tecom, S Sharma said that the cabinet would discuss the reply and take an appropriate decision.

From the events so far, it is clear that the government's intention is to end its association with Tecom. The minister said that Tecom had only business interests in the project, and that the Dubai company was deliberately exploiting the interest of the people of Kerala in the project.

The differences between the two partners centre on Tecom's demand for a freehold of 12 per cent of the total 240 acres of the project site with a right to sell. Sharma said this was against the framework agreement between the government and Tecom, and the government could not accept this additional condition.

Since the state is now election mode with local body elections set for October 23 and 25, a decision on the reply sent by Tecom is expected only after the elections. Interestingly, this is a hot issue in the campaigns of both LDF and UDF, particularly in Ernakulam district.

Tecom sent a letter responding to Government of Kerala's letter

2010-09-30T20:03:00.000-07:00

Tecom sent a letter responding to Government of Kerala's letter Regarding Smartcity Kochi

Source

Update!

SmartCity, the Dubai-based promoters of the proposed knowledge hub project in the city, has replied to the letter the State government had sent earlier this month. A post on the company's twitter account stated that “SmartCity [has] sent a letter responding to Government of Kerala's letter.” The letter had reportedly asked the promoters to reply within 15 days. SmartCity authorities, however, had asked for time. Fisheries Minister S. Sarma, who is also the Chairman of SmartCity Kochi, could not be contacted for information on the content of the letter.

Smart city Kochi board meeting held in Kochi today

2010-09-20T05:47:00.000-07:00

The Dubai-based promoters’ response to the recent government letter will decide the fate of the proposed SmartCity Kochi project, said Fisheries and Registration Minister S. Sarma.

Talking to reporters after one of the briefest director board meetings of the project here on Monday, Mr. Sarma, who is also the chairman of SmartCity Kochi, said that the next meeting of the Cabinet will decide on the additional time sought by SmartCity to reply to the letter.

The government had sought a reply within 15 days to the letter it had send early this month asking the promoters to take immediate steps to launch the project. The Chief Executive Officer of SmartCity Fareed Abdulrahman, however, wrote to the chief secretary asking for time till the end of this month.

Mr. Sarma said that the meeting was held to comply with the statutory requirement under the Companies Act and did not discuss any issues like the prospects of a legal battle.

Later, addressing a press conference Mr. Abdulrahman said that the company would response before the end of this month. Asked about the purported delay in replying, he said that SmartCity had taken the letter seriously and wanted the reply to be very “realistic.”

“We want the reply to include the best solutions and recommendations to take the project forward. Pointing fingers and repeatedly stating the problems would never take us anywhere,” the CEO said. He, however, said that the response to the letter “not necessarily” see a change in the company’s stand on outstanding issues.

While expressing optimism about the project, Mr. Abdulrahman, however, said that SmartCity was on a sound legal footing if things ended up in a court of law. The confidence, he said, was borne out of the framework agreement which was clear about the obligations of both the partners.

He said that SmartCity was committed to its Kochi project for it was bigger than the issues surrounding it.

Smart City Kochi: Tecom asked more time for sending a reply

2010-09-19T02:00:00.000-07:00

Dubai-based promoters TECOM (Dubai Commerce Technology and Media Free Zone Authority) on Saturday asked the Kerala government for granting sufficient time for sending a reply to the letter by State Government in Smart City project issue. Tecom has also written a letter to the government in this regard.

Earlier report

Smart City CEO Fareed Abdul Rehman has made it clear that a reply in connection with the much-expected Smart city project would be handed over to the State government within 30th of this month.

Elucidating the company’s stance, the CEO said that they would give reply after only consulting with experts regarding the same. It would have the reply for all the suspicions put forward by the government.

If a positive response was not obtained from the government, further decision on the same would be taken later, he added. Adding a note, he said that the company had already spend more than Rs. 100 Crores for the project.

The State cabinet on September 02 decided to serve a notice to TECOM in connection with the Smart City project. In the notice, the government will inform their unwillingness to accede to the demand of TECOM wanting 12 % freehold land. If a reply is not received within 10 days, the government will consider that TECOM has withdrawn from the project.

Smartcity Kochi:Tecom to attend director board meet

2010-09-14T22:11:00.001-07:00

A meeting of the board of directors of the proposed SmartCity Kochi project will be held at Ramada Resorts on September 20.

The meeting is scheduled to meet the statutory requirements under the Companies Act, which call for convening a director board meeting once every three months. The last director board meeting was held on June 28.

The meeting is unlikely to invoke much enthusiasm on either side as most of the previous meetings failed to produce any tangible outcome to lift the project from the depths into which it had fallen over many contentious issues including that of the right of freehold over 12 per cent land to SmartCity, the Dubai-based promoters of the project.

In fact, it is learned that, the fate of the meeting was uncertain initially as neither parties were sure about the participation of the other. There had been no significant development on the project for the last two years since the disagreement between the promoters and the government cropped up.

Tecom to respond soon about Smart city Kochi

2010-09-10T04:45:00.000-07:00

Tecom CEO Fareed Abdul Rehman has made it clear that a reply in connection with the much expected Smart city project would be handed over to the State government within 30th of this month.

Elucidating the company’s stance, the CEO said that they would give reply after only consulting with experts regarding the same. It would have the reply for all the suspicions put forward by the government. If a positive response was not obtained from the government, further decision on the same would be taken later, he added.
Adding a note, he said that the company had already spend more than Rs. 100 Crores for the project.

Earlier report

The State cabinet on last Thursday decided to serve a notice to TECOM in connection with the Smart City project.

In the notice, the government will inform their unwillingness to accede to the demand of TECOM wanting 12 % freehold land. If a reply is not received within 10 days, the government will consider that TECOM has withdrawn from the project.

Govt to serve notice to TECOM:Smart City Kochi

2010-09-02T00:25:00.000-07:00

The State cabinet on Thursday decided to serve a notice to TECOM in connection with the Smart City project.

In the notice, the government will inform their unwillingness to accede to the demand of TECOM wanting 12 % freehold land. If a reply is not received within 10 days, the government will consider that TECOM has withdrawn from the project.

Government was still keen on implementing the Smart city project in Kochi:S. Sharma

2010-07-09T23:58:00.000-07:00

Kerala State Fisheries minister and Smart city project Chairman, S. Sarma today told that the Government was still keen on implementing the Smart city project in Kochi. Minister added that the government has no interest on those who are bent upon violation of the Smart city agreement.

The last Smart city Director Board meeting was held on June 28th at the Ramada Hotel in Kochi.

Kerala CM: Talks will go on with Tecom for SmartCity Kochi project

2010-06-29T01:55:00.000-07:00

Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan today said the government has not terminated negotiations with Dubai-based Tecom for developing SmartCity IT park at Kochi and it will consider alternative partnership only as the last resort.

His statement, made in the state Assembly, came close on the heels of Tecom officials' announcement during SmartCity board meeting at Kochi yesterday that the company would not shy away from a legal battle if the government went to court for arbitration.
Replying to questions on the long-dragging project, Achuthanandan said negotiations with Tecom were still on and the question of going for an alternative partner would arise only as a last option.

However, he added that there was no question of yielding to the Dubai company's demands such as "free-hold" right for part of the land since they were outside the original agreement.

Since the LDF Government came to power, projects worth Rs 10,000 crore have been initiated out of which Rs 2000 crore was direct government investment, he said.

In the last four years, the IT sector boom in Kerala has been three times higher than the national average. The state maintained the growth trend even during the global recession, he added.

Smart City Dubai said it has no plans to pull out from the Samrt City Kochi project.

2010-06-28T22:01:00.000-07:00

A board of directors meeting of the proposed Rs.1,500 crore Smart City Kochi concluded here Monday without taking any decision on the fate of the IT project.
At the same time, the developer Smart City Dubai said it has no plans to pull out from the project.

Speaking to reporters here after the meeting, Smart City Dubai chief executive Fareed Abdul Rehman said: “Some more discussions have to take place because certain issues have to be resolved. We are not asking for anything new but just want those things that have been already written in the agreement and we have not asked anything new.”

He also invited the Chief Secretary of the state to visit their office in Dubai and to see what they are doing there.

Smart City Dubai is sticking to the agreement where it has been mentioned that they would get 12 per cent freehold rights (around 30 acres from the 246 acres). The Kerala government is adamant that it will not allow any real estate dealing and it is on this that the project is hanging fire.

Interestingly, State Fisheries Minister and Smart City Kochi Chairman S. Sarma did not attend the meeting.

And for the first time there were protests at the venue of the meeting. Members of the youth organisation of the ruling Left Democratic Front and the Revolutionary Socialist Party shouted slogans asking the state government to impelement the project.

Kochi Smart City director’s board to meet today

2010-06-28T04:36:00.000-07:00

Amidst continuing deadlock over the implementation of the proposed Smart City Kochi project, yet another meeting of the board of directors of the company would be held here today.

Unlike the initial board meetings, which evoked much interest triggering hopes of the project taking off, the ones held in the recent past had been just to fulfill the mandatory formalities.

The issue of right to freehold over 12 per cent land to Smart City, the Dubai-based promoters and the resultant stalemate over the registration of the land and Special Economic Zone notification had been keeping the project in a limbo for a long time now.

In between, arguments and ultimatums flew thick and fast between the stakeholders Smart City and the government dousing the hopes of the project materializing.

Fareed Abdulrahman, the Chief Executive Officer of Smart City, has pointed out the board meetings were being wrapped up without any significant decisions being taken.

After the last board meeting held on March 29 at which the outstanding issues plaguing the project were not discussed, Minister S. Sarma, who is also the chairman of the Smart City Kochi, had told waiting media persons that the board meeting was not the platform for discussing such issues as they need to be discussed at the government level as they related to an agreement reached between the government and Smart City.

He said that he was a mere board member like the rest of those on the board and was not authorized to take any decision on behalf of the government.

Via

Lulu International Shopping Mall - Indias Largest Shopping Mall, Kochi

2010-05-19T05:14:00.000-07:00

Mr. Yusuf Ali M.A., Managing Director of Emke Group, UAE, ranks today among the top NRI Business personalities. The Group has diversified into many significant areas under his dynamic stewardship, retail being the most prominent of them.
Emke Group, with its 22,000 strong workforce from 29 different nations and operational bases extending over the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Benin and Tanzania is one of the most successful corporates of the times with a steadily ascending growth curve over the years. The Group employs more than 15,200 Indians.
Lulu Cochin Mall is the new upcoming shopping mall in Kochi, Kerala, India. It is built on an area of 2,000,000 square feet. More than 240 renowned outlets including food courts, restaurants, family entertainment zones and a seven-screen Multiplex will all come together to make Lulu Shopping making it the one-stop destination for people of Kerala.

Features

Parking space for over 1000 vehicles in the basement
Surface parking for 2000 vehicles
Majestic Central Atrium with translucent roof
Escalators
Fountains
Vertical Circulation from the basement upwards travelators and panoramic elevators
Easy access and exit
Spacious indoor walkways

Design
Atrium

Lulu Hypermarket on the Ground floor having an area of 1000,000 Square feet. selling fresh, frozen, canned food, fruits and vegetables, along with butchery, bakery, hot food counters etc
Lulu Department Store on the First floor with 1000,000 Square feet of shop floor selling non food items like garments, footwear, luggage, white goods, cosmetics, electronic goods etc
Leasable retail space over 1 lakh sq. ft. on Second Floor, International home furnishing store of area 500,000 square feet

Food court

A fine dining restaurant of 5,500 square feet and a coffee shop of 5500 square feet are located in the second floor
A large Food Court to seat around 3,500 people serviced by 13 kitchens will offer an array of exotic cuisine
3 fine dining restaurants with terrace dining facilities on the Third floor

Game Zone

A n Amusement area of 30,000 square feet on the Third Floor.

5 Star hotel

A highlight of the Lulu Complex will be a 5 star hotel located adjacent to the imposing shopping mall. The 250 room properly will offer Royal Suite rooms and Executive Suites with international standard multi cuisine restaurants, swimming pool, coffee shop, Spa and privilege club facilities

Govt will implement the Smart City project if Tecom fails: CM

2010-05-18T02:55:00.000-07:00

Chief minister V S Achuthanandan said that the government will implement the Smart City project if Tecom is not willing to do the same. They were given enough time but now they are posing hurdles.

On Munnar issue, the CM said that the work done by the special team was excellent but due to political row they were withdrawn. But the activities of the team appointed later were unsatisfactory, he said. The CM was speaking at a special press conference called on the wake of the fourth year anniversary of the state government. The government was able to solve the problems faced by the farmers. The government has implemented agriculture debt waiver scheme.

The accumulation rate of paddy was raised. The system to provide rice for Rs 2 a kg will be raised to 35 lakh families, at present that is 25 lakh. Free medical project would be provided to 30 lakh families. As part of EMS Housing project, 5, 25,000 houses will be built. Paddy agriculture will be extended to 15,000 hectors. With the renovation of Info park one lakh will get employment opportunities.

For IT development of Malabar, IT parks will be set up in places including Chimeni. The construction of coach factory will begin in Palakkad. The commissioning of Kollam - Kottapuram waterway is being done. The land from Harrison will be taken over. Vizhijam project is expected to start by this year.

Source

‘Smart City Kochi delay sending wrong signals’

2010-05-09T23:53:00.000-07:00

The inordinate delay in the Smart City Kochi project is sending wrong signals about the state’s IT industry across the world, Group of Technology Companies (GTECH) president V.K.Mathews said.

"It is nearly 10 years that discussions on the Smart City project began in the state. The state was missing a big opportunity in the IT sector by delaying the project. Tecom has a better international marketing strategy and most of the major IT companies in the world has their presence in the Dubai Internet City," he said adding that GTECH would take up the matter with the State Government.

Mathews, who is also the Chairman and CEO of IBS Group, was addressing a press conference here on Tuesday.

GTECH would also urge the political leadership to exempt the IT sector from frequent hartals and strikes, at least for the next three years, as the IT sector in the state is yet to become stable. A presentation highlighting the importance of the IT sector would be made before the LDF and the UDF leaders in this connection, Mathews said.

He pointed out that the hartals and strikes had not yet affected the functioning of the IT companies in the state as the Government had been arranging adequate security.

The GTECH leaders are against trade unionism in the IT sector as they felt that it would be detrimental to the development of the sector.

GTECH is, however, planning to constitute a forum of IT company employees as well as a women’s forum to take up the problems of the employees.

Mathews, who leads the new team of GTECH office-bearers said that GTECH would join hands with the State Government to initiate various measures for the development of the state’s IT sector, including consultation on policy matters. The IT companies in the state would also take part in the e-governance initiative of the State Government, he said.

In the wake of the growing threats faced by the IT Parks, GTECH would initiate steps to ensure the security of the Infopark and Technopark. Steps to reduce the cost of IT operations in the state and to support small and medium IT companies would also be initiated, Mathews said.

BAN ON JOB HOPPING AND POACHING LIFTED

A strategic ban imposed by the major IT companies in the state not to poach employees from among themselves as well as job hopping by employees has been lifted.

Around 10 years ago, when the IT sector in the state was just catching up, there were restrictions on employees of one IT company joining another.

The objective of such a ban was to stabilise the state’s IT sector. Now the situation has changed and employees of one company can join another subject to the condition that he should obtain a relieving letter from the former employer, Mathews said.

GTECH, which was earlier known as Group of Technopark Companies, has been rechristened as Group of Technology Companies as many companies outside the Technopark campus, including those in the Infopark, are also part of GTECH.
GTECH vice-president and CEO of SunTech Business Solutions K.Nandakumar and GTECH secretary Anoop P.Ambika were also present at the press conference.

Source

Claims made by TECOM not in contract: Minister S. Sharma

2010-04-09T05:29:00.000-07:00

Giving a clear pointer to the government's action plan on Smart City S Sharma, chairman of the project termed the reply filed by TECOM as breach of contract. Speaking to the media, the minister clarified that the claims made by TECOM in the letter are not there in the initial contract. He added that the cabinet would decide on the future course of action.

The gap between the government and TECOM has widened following the statement by the minister. TECOM had on the reply filed reiterated their demand for freehold of land, which they claimed was there on the initial contract.

Both the CM and the minister had earlier made the action plan clear by stating that the government may be forced to think of alternative arrangements if TECOM fails to live up to the expected level.

Via

Kochi Smartcity: Tecom answered to Kerala Govt.

2010-04-08T04:36:00.000-07:00

Tecom, the promoters of Smartcity Kochi project, has asked the govt to stick to the framework agreement and the freehold rights. They also reiterated that the company is keen to go ahead with the project, the agreement for which was signed on May 13, 2007 with the Kerala govt. The letter was in reply to the state government's letter. The State Government had earlier asked Tecom whether it had any intention to go ahead with the project in Kochi.

Tecom vacates their Smart City Kochi Project office

2010-03-29T03:43:00.000-07:00

The Tecom Monday vacated the office space at Vazhakkala here.

Tecom CEO Fareed Abdul Rahman in person handed over the deed to the village office here. The deed had to be registered since Tecom is a foreign company.

Smart City director board meet Today
The board of directors of Smart City is scheduled to meet here Monday evening.

The meeting assumes significance in the wake of government deadline to Smart City authorities regarding the project. There are indications that Tecom officials might hold unofficial talks with the state government.

It is six years since the Smart City entered the minds of Keralites as a dream project, but the wrangling by the state government and the Tecom over freehold rights ensured that the project did not take off.

Smart City Dubai had last week day said it had not asked for anything outside the framework agreement signed with the Kerala government.

"Freehold is a contractual obligation, not a favour done to us. Moreover, the freehold is asked for Smart City Kochi, an Indian company registered under the Indian companies act. We are not asking for anything which is not in the framework agreement," a statement from Smart City said.

Source

Update
Next Smartcity Kochi Directors Meeting decided on June 28, 2010.

Kerala doesn’t have the authority to issue deadlines on the Smart City Kochi: Smart City CEO

2010-03-25T05:59:00.000-07:00

Freehold land not charity, but a right: Smart City CEO
The government of Kerala doesn’t have the authority to issue deadlines on the Smart City project, Dubai Internet City CEO Fareed Abdul Rahman said Thursday.

The government should first fulfill its responsibility by meeting the conditions in the agreement.

If that is met, the Smart City is ready to go ahead with the construction as stipulated in the agreement. Freehold land is not a generosity of the government, it is a right according to the agreement, he said

The Freehold condition had come to effect from the first agreement itself. There are still unsolved issues regarding the project, the company said. "It is up to the government to find solutions to the issues. Why did it take two years for the government to send a letter", the CEO asked.

Via

SmartCity Kochi Crucial Board Meeting on March 29

2010-03-18T22:35:00.000-07:00

A crucial Board meeting of the SmartCity Kochi project will be held on March 29, 2010 in Kochi. The meeting of the SmartCity Board will have representatives from Tecom, the promoters of the SmartCity Kochi project and the Kerala Government.

Fareed Abdulrahman, CEO of SmartCity, is also expected to attend the Board Meeting. The meeting is being held in Kochi at the instance of Tecom though the Government wanted to have it in Trivandrum.

This Board meeting comes in the backdrop of the Kerala Government having informed Tecom, its decision to decline their demand for 12% freehold rights for part of the land acquired for the project. The Government had recently made its position clear in a letter to Tecom and had also said that it cannot wait indefinitely for the project to begin. The grant of 12 % freehold rights to SmartCity has been the contentious issue between the State Government and Tecom. The last Board meeting on December 23, 2009 in Kochi had turned out to be inconclusive with differences of opinion continuing between the two partners.

Meanwhile in another development, Fareed Abdulrahman, CEO, SmartCity has announced that their SmartCity Malta will open in the third quarter of 2010. SmartCity Malta is a similar project being developed by SmartCity in partnership with the Government of Malta with a minimum investment outlay of US $ 300 million. SmartCity is a joint venture between TECOM Investments and Sama Dubai.

No freehold rights for Tecom: CM
The Kerala Government has informed Tecom, the Dubai-based promoters of the SmartCity Kochi project that it is declining their demand for 12% freehold rights for part of the land acquired for the project. The Government had made its position clear in a letter to Tecom authorities and have also said that it cannot wait indefinitely for the project to begin.

Chief Minister Shri V S Achuthanandan, while briefing the media after the Cabinet meeting yesterday said, "They are indefinitely delaying the project, making fresh demands outside the framework of the original agreement. Their demand for freehold on part of the land, which will give them sales rights, is not acceptable to the government". The company's financial position appeared to be shaky and that could be the reason for making new demands, he also added.

Via

Smart City Kochi:Board of directors meeting on March 29 will decide the Fate of the project

2010-03-13T03:21:00.000-08:00

The fate of the proposed Rs.1,500 crore IT park in Kochi to be built by Dubai-based developer Smart City Dubai will be decided at a board of directors meeting later this month. The Kerala government is adamant that no freehold rights over the project would be given to the builder as such a clause does not exist in the original agreement between the two parties.

The meeting will take place in Kochi on March 29. 'This meeting is not an unscheduled one; instead this date was fixed at the last board meeting held last year. But the meeting is a crucial in light of the recent developments,' said a Smart City Dubai official, who did not wish to be identified.

Smart City Dubai had signed an agreement in 2007 to build a mega IT project on a 246 acre plot in Kochi, providing about 90,000 jobs. It has been demanding 12 percent freehold rights in the project area. Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan Wednesday said there is no freehold demand in the agreement. The developer had been told this could not be met.

Smartcity Kochi:50 families relocated for the project are on the warpath

2010-03-09T03:48:00.000-08:00

Even as Finance Minister Thomas Isaac reiterated the State government's commitment to execute the proposed SmartCity Kochi project during his budget presentation, more than 50 families relocated for the project at Edachira are on the warpath alleging apathy on the part of authorities in providing the promised basic amenities on the land allotted for their rehabilitation.

“We were moved out in November 2008 and were promised power, water, and road on the rehabilitation land within six months. But till now we have got only electricity. If no steps are taken to fulfill the promises, we would stage a dharna in front of Infopark from the end of this month,” said P.A. Pareethukunju of the action council for the families displaced by the SmartCity project.

If things are not set straight before the onset of monsoon, life would become difficult, he said. He also said that the anganwadi promised on the land was yet to materialise. Only the land for the facility has been measured and demarcated but nothing more has happened, Mr. Pareethukunju said.

District Collector M. Beena, however, told the Hindu that the road could not be laid as Infopark, which was to bear the cost, found the estimate of Rs. 45 lakh given by the Public Works Department on the higher side and insisted on approval from the State government. Things remain there as of now.

Meanwhile, the Thrikkakkara panchayat had come forward to lay the road at a much reduced rate.

“We have asked the panchayat authorities to give it in writing and to submit an estimate,” Dr. Beena said.

As for water connectivity, she said that the deposit was made with the Kerala Water Authority and pipeline was laid only for the occupants of the land to find it insufficient. The demand is now for laying bigger pipes, the Collector said. Mr. Pareethukunju said that majority of the 58 families relocated had moved on to the rehabilitation land. He said that many officials and political leadership were oblivious of the incomplete state of affairs regarding rehabilitation.

“We are planning to take up the issue shortly under the Sutharya Kerala programme so that the Chief Minister is made aware of the problem,” he said.

He felt that the Chief Minister was under the impression that all promises had been fulfilled long back.

The rehabilitation package for the SmartCity Kochi evictees was considered a model one at the time it was declared.

Each family was given 6 cents of land each and those who had given up more land had the option to buy another five cents at the same price at which their land was bought for the project.

Basic amenities were also promised on the land. Via

Smart City Kochi project would be implemented in two stages:Kerala FM. Thomas Issac

2010-03-05T03:37:00.000-08:00

Kerala Finance Minister T M Thomas Issac on Friday announced that the government would take measures to create one lakh (100,000) job opportunities for the IT sector in the state.

He also said that the Smart City project would be implemented in two stages at the Infopark and an amount of Rs 50 crore (Rs 500 million) has been sanctioned for the first year, the minister said.

The minister also said that the Kannur airport would be implemented in the manner of Cochin International Airport with public-private participation. The government will have 26% equity in the project.

Kerala budget taxes liquor, proposes sops for tourism

The Kerala government's budget for 2010-11 also proposed to extend the ambit of welfare schemes like employment guarantee and food subsidy, reduce taxes on tourism, beer and wine and impose fresh ones on direct to home services and jewellery shop owners.

While continuing with most of the schemes under the Rs 10,000-crore (Rs 100 billion) stimulus package unveiled last year during the slowdown, Isaac in his budget announced fresh sops for the crisis-hit tourism sector by slashing the luxury tax.

Luxury tax on tourism, a major revenue earner, was brought down to 7.5 per cent and 12.5 per cent in different categories from 10 per cent and 15 per cent.

Among other highlights of the budget are the extension of the Rs 2-per-kg-rice scheme to labourers of the unorganized sector from June and the employment guarantee scheme to the urban areas. The government has earmarked Rs 500 crore (Rs 5 billion) for the food subsidy plan that will benefit about 3.5 million families.

Possibly with an eye on the assembly polls next year, the budget also left VAT rates untouched but proposed a 10 per cent hike in tax on liquor other than beer and wine.

The budget, showing a cumulative deficit of Rs 577.09 crore (Rs 5.77 billion), also sharply brought down the stamp duty on registration of real estate property as a sop to recession-hit construction sector.

Stating that Kerala cannot get rid of the revenue deficit by 2014-15 as suggested by the 13th Finance Commission, Issac said it would be Rs 3,629.55 crore (Rs 36.295 billion) for the year, about 11.64 per cent of the state's revenue.

Tax on beer and wine was slashed by 10 per cent, but that on other liquors was increased by 10 per cent.

The budget also sought to rationalise stamp duty and increased lifetime tax to 8 per cent for new motor cars and omni buses for private use, where engine capacity is 1500 cc and above.

A lifetime tax of 6 per cent ad valorem on all types of construction equipment vehicles was also imposed.

As the steep rise in gold prices had not been adequately reflected in the compounded tax, the budget re-fixed tax rates increase payable by the Jewellery shop owners.

Direct to Home service was brought under the tax net, with a levy of one per cent tax on gross charges paid by customers.

To protect small-scale cable TV operators, it exempted those having less than 5,000 connections from luxury tax.

The minister also sanctioned Rs 412 crore (Rs 4.12 billion) for heavy industries, Rs 240 crore (Rs 2.40 billion) for small and traditional sectors, agriculture projects would get Rs 622 crore (Rs 6.22 billion), the grand Kerala Shopping Festival will get Rs 25 crore (Rs 250 million) and the coconut development project will receive Rs 30 crore (Rs 300 million).

Via

IT sector in the state is safe even without the Smartcity project: Kerala CM

2010-03-03T22:11:00.000-08:00

Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan today all most scripted the future of Smart City stating that IT sector in the state is safe even without the project. The CM took on the opposition for trying to give a picture that Smart City is everything regarding IT in the state. Achuthanandan continued his prior stand that his government has taken corrective measures over the wrong doings of the past UDF government.

The CM informed that the government has made all moves to ensure 10,000 crore worth investment in IT sector.

Meanwhile Oommen Chandy, opposition leader accused the government of failing to keep all promises including Smart City.

Via

Kerala Govt. mulls handing over Smartcity Kochi to Infopark

2010-02-24T04:02:00.000-08:00

The government has been contemplating to handover the prestigious Smartcity project to Inforpark as the former is in a state of limbo for past two years and consecutive talks with Smartcity Tecom officials have proved futile, informed Thomas Isaac, state Finance Minister.

The project, the foundation stone of which was laid in November 2007, is yet to take off due to differences between the State Government and Tecom, the promoters of the project, over issues like granting freehold right for 12 percent of the land allotted for the project.

While the government is sticking to the clause in the framework agreement that free-hold land right could be granted only after the completion of the master plan, the Tecom has been demanding the free-hold land right immediately.

Thomas Isaac said, the government would try to raise fund on behalf of Infopark. He also added that, the government’s main goal would be to resist the ASEAN and price rise. The food subsidy would be raised. This year’s Budget would focus on Food Security and Agriculture sector, Thomas Isaac said.

Via

Smart City Kochi: Decision within a month

2010-02-13T06:31:00.000-08:00

A decision on whether TECOM should be called in for completing the proposed Smart City project in Kochi would be taken in a month’s time, said Minister S Sarma, who is also the project chairman of Smart City.

He said the government hitherto waited for TECOM. This will not work again. It is high time the government waited for TECOM. Now, the government will take decision within one month whether it is necessary or not to invite TECOM to be part of Smart City.

He reiterated that TECOM’s demand to make available free ownership over 12 % of land cannot be accepted.

Via

Kerala Government condoning failure on SmartCity Kochi: IUML

2010-02-09T22:24:00.000-08:00

Indian Union Muslim League State general secretary P.K. Kunhalikutty has described baseless Chief Minister Achuthanandan’s statement blaming the United Democratic Front (UDF) for the failure of the SmartCity project.

Talking to reporters at Manjeri near here on Monday, Mr. Kunhalikutty said that it was the UDF that brought the SmartCity project, and that the Chief Minister was trying to condone the government’s failure to implement the project.

“When the UDF comes to power, we’ll set up more than one SmartCity in Kerala,” the Muslim League leader said.

Mr. Kunhalikutty said governance in the State was going in a reverse gear. He said a UDF team would visit Wayanad in view of the CPI(M)’s encroachments on the land of Shreyams Kumar, MLA. The IUML leader accused the CPI(M) of resorting to personal vendetta against Shreyams Kumar after he changed the political front. Mr. Kunhalikutty said that the CPI(M) did not have the power to resist the UDF in the State.

Via

300 crore sound city project in kochi by Rasool pookkutty

2010-02-09T05:59:00.000-08:00

Rasool pookkutti's 300 crore sound city project in kochi

http://www.mathrubhumi.com/story.php?id=82264

Kerala Opposition Party:'Smart City Kochi delay due to government effeteness'

2010-02-09T03:28:00.000-08:00

The Congress-led opposition in Kerala Tuesday said the proposed Rs.1,500-crore (Rs.15 billion) Smart City Kochi project has failed to materialise due to the ineffectiveness of the state government.

Responding to queries on Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan's statement about the project, Leader of Opposition Oommen Chandy told reporters: "This government is completing four years in office shortly, what were they doing till now.

"The government lacks the will to do things because of their own contradictions and the easiest thing is to blame all and sundry for one's own failure and they are doing just that," he added.

The chief minister had said in Delhi last week that the mega Information Technology (IT) project was at cross roads because a section of the opposition leaders and their children were playing spoilsport to see that the project does not materialise.

Achuthanandan had laid the foundation stone for the mega IT project at Kochi, to be built by Smart City Dubai, in November 2007. It was to come up in a 246-acre plot and expected to provide 90,000 jobs.

But after the laying of the foundation stone, nothing happened as the issue of granting 12 percent freehold rights to Smart City Dubai cropped up. Despite several rounds of discussion, the issue was not resolved.

"We have a chief minister here who time and again says that Smart City Dubai is financially broke. Is this the way a chief minister of a state who is looking for investment to happen speaks," asked Chandy, who had cleared the proposal when he was the chief minister in 2006.

The last director board meeting of the Smart City Kochi took place in December in Thiruvananthapuram and as always ended without any progress.

"We asked Achuthanandan several times to come clean on his repeated statements that Smart City Dubai has been demanding things outside of the agreement. But till date we are yet to hear from him on what the demands are," added Chandy.

Copyright Indo Asian News

Smart City Kochi

2010-01-11T22:22:00.000-08:00

TECOM makes it clear that it has intimated Govt of Kerala that its intention is not to sell the freehold land long ago. Moreover, freehold is sought for the Indian company Smart City Kochi with Minister S. Sarma as its chairman, and not for Tecom.

Medical City Kochi

2010-01-08T05:25:00.000-08:00

In between all the unclear and doubtful talks on smart city, a ray of hope for another development project in Kerala. This is the Medical city is from D.M health care group. The group is having plans of establishing various medical firms throughout Kerala. The Medical city at Cochin will be a 500 crore project. The group is having plans of investing 800 crores in the Medical field of India. Along with the medical city Cochin the group will establish a medical college at Wayanad. The new plans were announced by the chairman of the group Dr. Asad Muppan.

The Medical city will be constructed in 35 acres of land. The project will be constructed in 2 phases. In the initial stage hospital with 500 beds, convention centre, Hotel facility for Guests and relatives of patients, accommodation facility for doctors and staff will be constructed. In the second stage expert facilities for specialized branched will be established. This includes modern treatment facilities for specialties as eye, heart and cancer. The group is also conducting several social service activities in the medical field.

Source

SmartCity Dubai to lose CFO

2009-12-31T05:23:00.000-08:00

SmartCity in Dubai is set to lose its executive director for corporate finance Teddy Maroun.

Mr Maroun has held the position for a year but his contract is not being renewed for 2010. SmartCity Dubai said Mr Maroun left the company in a voluntary and planned manner and has been succeeded by a new executive director as planned.

It has been a frustrating year for SmartCity in many ways. SmartCity Malta has also seen the departure of a number of key personnel, including its CEO and its chief financial officer, although it recently issued the tender for the construction of Infrastructure civil works for Phase One.

And the SmartCity Kochi project is also in jeopardy and may be called off. A week ago, Smart City Dubai served an ultimatum to the Kerala government saying the proposed Rs.1,500-crore Smart City Kochi IT project could not be kept hanging 'endlessly', following a board meeting. The foundation stone for the park at Kochi was laid in 2007 and was to create 90,000 jobs. But the project has ground to a halt because of problems with the allocation of the 12 per cent freehold rights to Smart City Dubai. The Indian chief minister for the state has claimed that the real problem is lack of funds.

Source

No productive insight in Kochi Smart City IT project impasse

2009-12-24T05:00:00.000-08:00

Even as Smart City Dubai last week served an ultimatum to the Kerala government saying the proposed Rs.1,500-crore Smart City Kochi IT project cannot be kept hanging 'endlessly', a board meeting ended Wednesday with differences of opinion continuing between the two partners.

Emerging from the hour-long meeting, Smart City Kochi chairman and State Fisheries Minister S. Sarma told reporters that talks would continue.

'You know there are differences of opinion between us and Smart City Dubai. The chief minister is out of station, and once he returns, we will brief him about what happened today and a date for another round of discussion would be decided,' said Sarma.

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan had in November 2007 laid the foundation stone for the mega IT park at Kochi -- to be built by Smart City Dubai -- which will come up on a 246-acre plot and is expected to create 90,000 jobs.

But since then, nothing has moved with differences cropping up over granting of 12 percent freehold rights to Smart City Dubai.

While the Dubai partner wants a written agreement that this would be given after the master plan is ready, the government is not ready to give inalienable rights to them.

Fareed Abdulrahman of Smart City Dubai, who is also Smart City Kochi chief executive, said his company wished to make it clear that it did not want freehold land immediately, but only after the master plan was prepared.

'We will make it happen, we will make it happen,' Abdulrahman said.

With both parties hopeful of resolving the issues, it now remains to be seen when the next meeting takes place.

Source

No decision taken on Smart City Kochi

2009-12-23T05:05:00.000-08:00

The director board convened today was not able to solve the dispute between the state government and TECOM in connection with the establishment of the Smart City project. TECOM was firm in their stand of having 12% independent rights.

Smart City chairman S Sarma informed them that they cannot accept their demand. So, the government said that they will inform them after holding talks with the chief minister.

Meantime, the government said they have not decided to move on with the project avoiding TECOM.

Smartcity Kochi is Reviving: Top officials to attend director board meet at Kovalam

2009-12-22T01:24:00.000-08:00

Reviving the proposed SmartCity Kochi project that has been in a limbo for sometime now, a meeting of the board of directors of the company has been scheduled at Kovalam on Wednesday at 6.30 p.m.

SmartCity Kochi chief executive officer Fareed Abdulrahman; vice-chairman Rashid Lathif Almullah; and business development manager Mithun Beeru are expected to attend the meeting. This is the sixth director board meeting of SmartCity Kochi, of which Fisheries Minister S. Sarma is the chairman.

The meeting assumes significance amidst reports that the State government was considering a replacement for SmartCity in the project. Also the time fixed by SmartCity, and reiterated many times by Abdulrahman, to see some progress in the project was set to expire this month.

After the last meeting of the board of directors and the subsequent Chief Secretary-level talks in September failed to reach a consensus on a host of contentious issues, the State government kept on repeating that it was working on ways to schedule further talks with the Dubai-based promoters of the project to remove the hurdles hindering the progress of the project.

Source

Kerala govt ready for talks with Tecom: Kerala CM

2009-12-21T07:16:00.000-08:00

The Kerala government Wednesday said it is ready to talk with Dubai-based promoters over the Rs 1,500-crore Kochi SmartCity IT project, which has been delayed by over a year due to land acquisition problems. The Government has informed the Dubai-based Tecom authorities about the steps taken so far in this regard and that it was prepared to hold talks with the firm, Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan said here.

The state government has maintained that Tecom was raising demands which were not in accordance with the agreement. However, Tecom has said it will not wait beyond December 2010 and would be forced to rethink on the project.

Achuthanandan said the date for discussions with Tecom would be later decided.

’December is not a deadline, but it is a point past which we have to rethink about the future of the project’, Smart city CEO Fareed Abdulrahaman had said.

Dispute over the 39 acres ’freehold land’ out of 249 acres allotted for the project has delayed the project for which foundation stone was laid a year ago.

SmartCity insists that freehold land was a contractual right but government says it cannot give away land with selling rights to the promoters to make real estate gains.

Source

SmartCity Kochi: Kerala Govt. ready for talks with Dubai promoters

2009-12-16T03:45:00.000-08:00

The Kerala government said on Wednesday it is ready to talk with Dubai-based promoters over the Rs 1,500-crore (Rs 15-billion) Kochi SmartCity IT project, which has been delayed by over a year due to land acquisition problems.

The government has informed the Dubai-based Tecom authorities about the steps taken so far in this regard and that it was prepared to hold talks with the firm, chief minister V S Achuthanandan told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram.

The state government has maintained that Tecom was raising demands which were not in accordance with the agreement.

However, Tecom has said it will not wait beyond December 2010 and would be forced to rethink on the project.

Achuthanandan said the date for discussions with Tecom would be later decided. 'December is not a deadline, but it is a point past which we have to rethink about the future of the project', Smart city CEO Fareed Abdulrahaman had said.

Dispute over the 39 acres 'freehold land' out of 249 acres allotted for the project has delayed the project for which foundation stone was laid a year ago.

SmartCity insists that freehold land was a contractual right but government says it cannot give away land with selling rights to the promoters to make real estate gains.

Source

Smart City Kochi:Tecom Dubai serves ultimatum to Kerala government

2009-12-14T05:13:00.000-08:00

Smart City Dubai Monday served an ultimatum to the Kerala government, saying the Rs.1,500 crore Smart City Kochi project cannot be kept hanging in the balance “endlessly”.

In a statement issued here, Smart City Dubai said “we have to rethink about the future of the project”.

“But as mentioned earlier decisions can be taken within minutes and there is no point waiting endlessly or delaying this far. Our commitment to Kerala and the people of Kerala is important to us and we hope to begin the project soon.”

Smart City Dubai also said they have always welcomed discussions for speedy progress of the project so that issues could be sorted out and bottlenecks removed.

“In fact, the last round of talks held with the Kerala government was on Oct 1, 2009. We are yet to receive any invitation from them for any other discussions. Moreover, we have sent an invitation to Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan for him to visit Dubai so that issues may be discussed and sorted out. We have not received any response to the invitation,” said Smart City Dubai.

On the contentious 12 percent freehold issue over which the project is hanging fire, it said that the framework agreement was “crystal clear” in its provision for freehold for Smart City Kochi, an Indian company with the Kerala government as its partner. The agreement is available in the public domain for anyone to examine, the statement added.

“We have constantly assured Kerala that the land will be used for the good of the state. Yet, we are unable to understand the reasons or intentions behind delaying the project in this manner. We have made no new demands on this issue. In fact, Smart City has not asked for the freehold land to be transferred to us right now.

“As per the framework agreement, the land is to be transferred only after the master plan has been completed. Smart City Kochi has only asked for assurance that when the master plan is over, freehold will be provided. The assurance has been requested in the form of a letter or by incorporating this into the second lease. The project is certainly being delayed despite our best efforts to communicate with them to sort out issues,” reads the statement.

The company was reacting to the recent statement by Achuthanandan that not an inch of land given to it can be sold. Achuthanandan has said in case the company is unable to abide by the agreement then Kerala will have to look for other options.

Achuthanandan had laid the foundation stone for the Smart City Kochi project in November 2007. It is proposed to come up in a 246 acre plot.

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SmartCity Kochi: It’s a 'take it or leave it' moment for Tecom Investments

2009-12-02T21:13:00.001-08:00

It’s a 'take it or leave it' moment for Dubai-based Tecom Investments, as it gears up for the final round of talks with Kerala government to end the deadlock over the IT infrastructure joint venture Smartcity in Kochi. As if the gloom of Dubai debt woes was not enough, Tecom is likely to face the humiliation of its mantelpiece Indian investment in the $400-million Indian project to be passed over to other aspiring investors.

When asked about the offer from Muthoot Pappachan Group, chief minister VS Achuthanandan said, “There is no dearth of potential investors for Kochi Smartcity, at this point. Including one of the top firms in the US, there has been quite a few investors keen to take up the project, if Dubai Tecom backs out." Muthoot Pappachan Group had announced its interest to substitute the Dubai partner in the Smartcity venture, in case Tecom backs out.

The 8.8-million sq ft IT infrastructure plan, envisaging 90,000 direct jobs in 10 years, had been dragging feet for the last two years, with both partners- Kerala government and Dubai Tecom- often slipping into a war of words. Farid Abdul Rahman, CEO, SmartCity Kochi, points out the state government gives no assurance that 12% of the land meant for the project would be freehold.

Meanwhile, the Gulf-based investors, who had competed with Tecom, right before it inked the Smartcity MoU in 2007, do not anymore enjoy deep pockets. For instance, Dubai-based Emmar group, world's largest real estate developer (in terms of market capitalisation), had, then, offered to invest in IT infrastructure in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram through its Indian arm Emmar-MGF. Significantly, chief minister was cautious at this juncture not to reiterate his familiar refrain that Tecom was short of resources. Asked if the Dubai financial crisis could hit Kochi's dream project, Achuthananthan said, "There is no need to drag it into the SmartCity picture." Only last week, Tecom came out with a rejoinder to Achuthananthan for his earlier comments that the Dubai firm's financial state was pathetic. "Comments that may question our commitment or our legal obligations towards this very important project are misplaced,", SmartCity Kochi CEO said. To demonstrate the financial stability, the company even invited Kerala chief minister to visit its Dubai business facility. In response, the government invited Tecom for talks on the freehold-dispute. This time, the Dubai firm has agreed to call on Kerala...

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Talks with TECOM to sort out differences: Kerala CM

2009-12-02T05:54:00.000-08:00

The Kerala government today said it would hold talks with TECOM Investments, the Dubai based joint venture partner of an industry cluster project in Kochi, for implementing the project sanctioned in 2007.

Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan told reporters after a Cabinet meeting that talks would be held for "one more time" with TECOM, a member of Dubai Holding, but insisted that the financial crisis in Dubai had nothing to do with the lack of progress in the SmartCity IT park project.

Asked whether the Dubai financial crisis would hinder progress of the Rs 1,500 crore project, he said there was no need to bring that into the picture.

SmartCity Kochi Deal off, says S.Sharma if TECOM adamant

2009-11-29T20:46:00.000-08:00

The deal between Kerala government and TECOM will have to be declared null and void if the later remains adamant on free-hold rights for 12 per cent of land, fisheries minister S. Sharma said Sunday

In that case the next cabinet meet will decide on the future course of action he said. He said though several private players have evinced interest in the roject no talks have been held in this regard

The company wants free-hold rights on 12 per cent of land meant for the project, but according to the government his demand is not part of the framework agreement signed between the two parties.

Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan had Saturday asked Smart City Dubai, the developer of a proposed IT park here, to stick to the framework agreement or else the government would "look for other options".

Earlier, the chief minister had said the Dubai firm was financially "broke" and was now coming up with fresh demands that were not part of the framework agreement signed by the two sides to delay the project.

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TECOM will not be given land for sale, says Kerala CM

2009-11-28T02:58:00.000-08:00

TECOM will not be given a piece of land for sale in the name of Smart City Project, said Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan. Talking after inaugurating the second phase of developmental works of Info Park in Kochi, VS said there is no uncertainty regarding the Smart City Project. The project will be completed with the help of other companies. TECOM is voicing things which are not in the MoU.

Smart city Kochi: Muthoot Pappachan Group expresses interest

2009-11-26T03:00:00.000-08:00

Kerala-based Muthoot Pappachan Group has expressed interest in taking over and developing the Smart city project. The board which met on Thursday morning took this decision. The Muthoot Group had earlier shown interest in the project at the time of its inception.

The decision by Muthoot comes after the Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan cast doubts on the financial ability
of Dubai-based Tecom to develop the joint venture park. The Muthoot Group said that it is ready to deliver the estimate of project cost if the government needs it.

Earlier, in a statement issued in Dubai, Tecom CEO said if the Chief Minister had any doubts about the financial position of the company and its commitment to the project he could visit its campuses in Dubai to get himself convinced.

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SmartCity Kochi dream takes another beating

2009-11-25T20:33:00.000-08:00

The long-standing dream of the Kochi SmartCity project - projected as an infrastructure project that would help that city and Kerala move into another gear of economic development - has suffered another stinging blow.

State Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan publicly expressed doubts about the competence of the Dubai-based Technology and Media Free Zone Authority (Tecom) to undertake the project, stating that they were themselves in trouble. Tecom is the state government's partner in the project.

Mr Achuthanandan said that the Dubai company was in a "really pathetic" condition and that they were raising points that were not in the original agreement for the project, adding that the state government would go ahead with the project even in the absence of Tecom. He went on to suggest that a similar project Tecom has in Malta may also not be doing too well.

The Chief Minister has been critical of Tecom in the past but the latest outburst against the Dubai company has given the impression that the state government-Tecom association for the SmartCity project is in deep trouble. The CM had himself laid the foundation stone for the Rs 1,700-crore project two years ago, after which there has been little progress on the project.

Among the main stumbling blocks for the project is a demand by Tecom for freehold status on 12 per cent of the land for the project but the state government is not in agreement with the suggestion, arguing that it was not part of the original understanding.

The Chief Minister said on Wednesday that if the government was going ahead with another partner, it would do that only after talking to SmartCity officials. This is the second time in a fortnight that the Chief Minister is suggesting that the Dubai company may have suffered owing to the financial setback in the Arab world owing to the crisis in the US.

The real estate market in Kakkanad in Kochi, that had soared on the wings of the SmartCity project, is expected to take another correction following the development. The realty market had already dipped owing to the economic slowdown, and further delay in realizing the SmartCity project may dent the market more.

The project envisages 88 lakh sq ft of built-up space on a 246-acre campus and creation of about 90,000 direct jobs.

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