Lulu Mall Kochi opening on March 10, 2013

Lulu mall, anticipated to be the fourth largest mall in India , following High Street Phoenix Mall of Mumbai 360,000 m2 (3,900,000 sq ft), Orchid Ozone Mall of Mumbai 324,000 m2 (3,490,000 sq ft) and will be bigger than the Metro Walk Mall of Delhi 2,600,000 sq ft (240,000 m2). The mall will be the size of eighteen football grounds and 60% of the size of The Dubai Mall.



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The mall, in the Edapally area of Kochi, covers 17 acres and includes a large ice rink, muliplex cinema, restaurants, a Lulu hypermarket and a bowling alley. The developer is also building a Marriott hotel as part of the complex.

Signage describes the development as "India's largest shopping mall", but information available elsewhere suggests that it will be India's fourth-biggest mall. It is expected to create direct employment for about 8,000 staff.

Emerging Kerala 2012, 12-14th September 2012

A bouquet of opportunities for the world to take note of, Emerging Kerala 2012, is your opportunity to explore, invest and establish your business interests in Kerala. With a pro-active administration and investment-friendly policies, this is your gateway to make a mark on the industrial playground of Kerala.

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Kerala launches campaign to attract foreign direct investment

The Kerala government on Friday launched a campaign to attract foreign direct investment ( FDI) and said the state had unveiled a single-window mechanism for clearing investment proposals.
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Real Estate in Kochi ready to flourish

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

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

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

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.

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Now, a litigation over Kochi's name

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.

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

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.

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Kochi Smart City: Decision on next Cabinet, says Sarma

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.

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

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.

Medical City Kochi

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.

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India's longest railway bridge will be at Kochi

The country's longest railway bridge, at 4.62 km, is fast nearing completion and will be opened in November, an official said here Saturday. The bridge, to connect the International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadam with Edapally near here, has been constructed in the Kochi backwaters.

G. Keshava Chandran, deputy general manager of Rail Vikas Nigam Limited, said: 'The project cost for this mega bridge is estimated to be Rs.295 crore. The work began in May 2007 and is progressing on schedule.'

The bridge is a necessity for the proposed Rs.2,118 crore ICTT, billed as the country's first global hub terminal which is set to alter the development map of the state through huge investment in the coming years.

The ICTT project is set to launch a series of ventures including the Rs.1,600-crore LNG terminal, the port-based Special Economic Zone (Rs.1,510 crore), International Ship Repair complex (Rs.315 crore), SBM (single buoy moorings) for Kochi Refineries Ltd (Rs. 720 crore), Petro chemical complex for Gas Authority of India (Rs.7,000 crore), International bunkering terminal, bulk cargo terminals, cruise ship terminals and an international marina.

'Though there would be just one railway line at the moment, the foundation for two lines has been done. There would be no passenger traffic on this railway line, only container traffic to and from the IICT,' said Chandran


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Photo Credit : The Hindu

Govt approves 29 SEZ plans

The Board of Approval (BoA) for Special Economic Zones (SEZs) today cleared a total of 29 proposals to set up SEZs, including three proposals for conversion of in-principle approvals into formal ones. The Board recommended grant of 23 formal and six in-principle approvals.
Prominent among the formal approvals are four IT/ITeS SEZs in Kerala by Kerala State Information Technology Infrastructure Limited, another two IT/ITeS/electronic hardware SEZs in Andhra Pradesh by Godrej Real Estate Private Limited and S2tech.com. Two more IT/ITeS SEZs were approved to be set up in Gujarat by Strength Real Estate and Gaurinandan Property Holders.

Two biotechnology SEZs in Andhra Pradesh by Lahari Infrastructure and a Biological E were also approved.

An SEZ for non-conventional energy, including solar energy equipment/cell SEZ in Gujarat by Euro Multivision was also granted formal approval.

An engineering SEZ in Tamil Nadu by Township Developers India was converted from in-principal to formal approval.

In-principle approvals were granted among others for a multi-product SEZ in Madhya Pradesh by Reliable Smart City.

The airport and aviation sector, including maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) SEZ in Tamil Nadu by Taneja Aerospace and Aviation Limited, was given in-principle nod as also a free trade warehousing zone SEZ in Tamil Nadu by Vikram Logistics and Maritime Services.

Earthrace, the world’s fastest eco-boat in Kochi(cochin)

Earthrace, the world’s fastest eco-boat, successfully underwent massive repairs in Singapore and will set off later today on the next leg of its world record attempt to Cochin, India, where it is expected to arrive on Friday 13th June.

Earthrace is a 24m tri-hull wavepiercer that runs on biofuel and is on day 42 of its attempt to break the world record for a powerboat to circumnavigate the globe. Despite the delays for repairs, the boat is still 1,556 miles ahead of the world record pace, set by the British Cable and Wireless team in 1998, despite sustaining significant damage in Palau and having to complete the last leg of the journey on one engine.

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Private buses in Kerala will soon be tracked through global positioning system (GPS)

Private buses in Kerala will soon be tracked through global positioning system (GPS) and passengers will get all the information they need virtually on their fingertips.

The Kerala State Bus Operators Federation, with a fleet of 20,000 buses plying across the southern state, has hired fleet management services provider Dhanus to install the automatic vehicle locator and asset protection system.

Both passengers and service operators will be able to track buses on a specific route, its timings and other details on their computers or on mobile handsets using a web-interface or a mobile WAP interface.

Within a year, the entire fleet of the KBOF will be equipped with the tracking system that helps monitor the buses constantly by sending real time information.

When a bus meets with an accident, a message is sent automatically.
“With this initiative, transport owners in Kerala will be able to provide passengers with instant information on the location, arrival and departure timings of every bus via the Internet and SMS,” A D Sudhindra, executive chairman of Dhanus Technologies, said.

A gadget costing Rs30,000 is installed on bus which can then be trackeded via satellite and the information about the vehicle can be made available in almost all Indian languages.

“Close to 85% of the buses in the state are operated by KBOF members and this initiative will ensure that both regular passengers and tourists have accurate bus schedule information on their finger tips,” KBOA president A K Abdullah said.

“This technology would be a boon for passengers and operators who will benefit from the real time tracking information system. It’ll also help us make the operations cost-effective,” Abdullah said.

It even allows the operators to monitor the fuel tank.
An LED display screen placed in the bus would display in English and Malayalam details such as the next stop and the distance and time that would take to reach the destination.

“It will be extremely useful at times of breakdowns and accidents. It also helps increase passenger safety by keeping a check on the speed. Dhanus would be offering a web interface in Malayalam, Hindi and English, enabling access to both natives and foreigners,” Abdullah said.

The bus operators also expect to generate additional revenue by allowing advertisers to reach their target customers through static and dynamic advertising content, including audio visual elements which can be displayed in the buses.


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Kerala's FDI flows slip

Despite notching Dubai Tecom's $330-million Smartcity deal in Kochi and a high investor confidence in Assocham's recent survey, Kerala's FDI inflow has slipped a tad. FDI inflow in the last fiscal is lower by 0.26%, says Economic Review-2007 released by State Planning Board.

Tourism has been a reliable cash cow for the state, according to the new indications. Revenue growth through tourism is up by 17.9% in 2007-2008. Foreign tourist arrivals are growing by 19.3% per year.

In exports, the state had mixed fortunes. While export of tea, coffee and coir looked up, spices and cashew export suffered.

More state PSUs are on the turnaround track. Those in the black have ploughed back Rs 92.05 crore profit to state government in the last fiscal. Mining licenses have fetched Rs 26 crore to the state.

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Kerala plans to develop IT parks in all districts

The state government has worked out a plan to develop IT parks in all districts in the state as part of its efforts to enhance its presence in the Information Technology sector. A state-sponsored company called Kerala State Information Technology Infrastructure Ltd had been formed for this and consultants Pricewaterhouse Cooper entrusted to work out the project details.

The proposed IT parks would be in addition to the existing Technopark in the state capital, Infopark in Kochi and the joint venture Smart city coming up in Kochi.Some districts like Alappuzha, Palakkad, Kannur, Kasargod and Kozhikode had already submitted site proposals which were being examined by the government.

The IT department had drawn up a set of norms for the sites for the IT parks which included proximity to rail, road and air connectivity, basic needs like uninterrupted power and water supply and housing facilities. One park required at least 50 acres of land.

Dh1.8bn Sky City plan in Kochi by UAE

UAE officials are working with the Government of the Indian state of Kerala to develop a Dh1.8 billion Sky City project at the coastal city of Kochi. The proposal involves building an eight kilometre-long elevated highway above an existing 4.2km bridge that carries traffic over water.

The new road would be lined on both sides with 20,000 square metres of residential and commercial space.

Kochi is a booming commercial city in the southwest of the state flanked by the Arabian Sea on one side and hills on the other.

Sky City has been proposed as a solution to the city’s growing traffic congestion problems, which would not put pressure on the limited land resources in the area.

Three-storey apartments, shopping centres, leisure facilities and other amenities such as pedestrian paths and car parks would be built on the highway platform. There could also be helipads and marine transport.

“The UAE Government is currently studying the Sky City project in Kochi,” said Ashok Lal G, general manager of projects at the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation.

“The project involves the construction of a bridge up to eight kilometers long over an existing bridge and will use the space above it to build shopping complexes, offices and residential buildings.

“There is an acute shortage of land in Kochi to develop new roads and people are reluctant to give up their land for road development.

“Last December, a UAE delegation led by Younis Al Khoori, secretary of the UAE Ministry of Finance and Industry, and other senior government officials visited Kerala to boost UAE investment.

During their visit it was announced a new investment company, a joint venture involving the governments of the seven emirates, would invest in Kerala projects.”

The UAE has experience of reclaiming space for construction through projects, such as Dubai’s Palms and the World and Abu Dhabi’s Breakwater and Al Raha Beach development.

“We are trying to use Dubai’s expertise in growth and infrastructure development. Part of Dubai is reclaimed from the sea and we are confident Dubai companies will be actively involved in the development of the 20m to 30m high bridge above the existing Maradu-Thevara bridge and the development of residential and commercial buildings.”

The official said the Kerala chief minister’s office had approved the Sky City proposal.

Once the feasibility study is completed a memorandum of understanding would be signed by the two governments setting out details of the project’s structure and financing.

“The Government of Kerala will have to grant rights to build over the existing bridge and the Coastal Zone Authority will have to approve the project.”

The proposed development would have supermarkets, community halls, entertainment centres, restaurants, hotels, garment and jewellery shops, car showrooms, offices and business centres.

The plan also involves provisions for amusement centres, healthcare facilities, water sports, an oceanarium and a theme park.

The state government is working with Tecom to develop Kochi SmartCity, an information technology infrastructure project.

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Kerala: Inflow of foreign tourists increases by 19.43 per cent

The inflow of foreign tourists to Kerala increased by 19.43 per cent in 2007 compared to the previous year, making tourism one of the fastest growing sectors in the State, according to Kerala Governor R.L. Bhatia.

In his address to the State legislature on Wednesday, he said that 4,43,594 foreign tourists visited the State in 2007. Tourism generated a revenue of Rs.9,126 crore for the State in 2006.

He said the Tourism Department would shortly come out with a ‘White Paper on Responsible Tourism’ to guide the government’s future policy initiatives in the sector. The government proposed to develop adventure tourism as a special attraction in the State. A hospitality management institute would be set up in Kozhikode and a ‘Board of Tourism Studies’ would be created shortly to improve the academic content of tourism and hospitality studies.

Smart City project

The Smart City project, formally launched in November last year, was expected to generate employment for 90,000 people in the IT sector. The government proposed to develop other IT cities/knowledge cities also in other parts of the State in view of the State’s emerging status as an IT investment destination, Mr. Bhatia said.

In the industries sector, the government’s approach was to convert the public sector units into profitable ones, rather than close down the loss-making ones. The State public sector Transformers and Electricals Kerala Limited had entered into a contract with the National Thermal Power Corporation for a joint venture. BrahMos Aerospace, a company under the Defence Ministry, had taken over the State public sector Kerala High-Tec Industries Limited. Indian Railways would similarly start a bogie manufacturing unit at Steel Industries Limited Kerala at Cherthala, he said.

Titanium sponge

The Governor said that discussions were in progress for a collaborative venture with a Russian firm for setting up a facility for the manufacture of around 10,000 tonnes of titanium sponge annually.

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