The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Work yet to begin on SmartCity

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Saturday, Oct 04, 2008
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Kerala - Kochi

Work yet to begin on SmartCity

Staff Reporter

It has been a year since the foundation stone was laid

Promoters apprehensive over delay in rehabilitating families
SmartCity Kochi five times bigger than
the project in Malta

KOCHI: Almost a year after the foundation stone for the project was laid for the proposed SmartCity project with much pomp and show, what all that remains to show for the progress of the venture is that very stone alone.

Though the lease agreement for 236 acres was signed on the eve of the stone laying function, SmartCity, the promoters of the project, are yet to get the land registered in their name.

With the Board of Approval of Special Economic Zone giving in principal approval to 136 acres, the State government is free to waive the stamp and registration duties and register land in favour of the promoters.

Some sections of the media reported that the government has decided to register the lease agreement by October 10. But it is reliably learnt that the promoters were not aware of this till Wednesday.

SmartCity is also apprehensive of the delay in getting a section of the families evicted who are still residing on 136 acres. Though it was announced that these families would vacate after the month of Ramzan it seems highly unlikely, sources said.

Though in principle SEZ approval had been received for 136 acres, to get it officially notified the promoters would have to approach the Board of Approval for SEZ with the deeds of the land registered in its name. Also, the inhabitants on the project land should be vacated by then.

While the State government is questioning the reluctance of SmartCity to table the master plan for the 136 acres and start construction there, the promoters are of the firm opinion that no construction is possible before registering the land in their name. Besides, they point out that, in projects of such magnitude it is not practical to present a bound master plan but should be allowed to evolve gradually.

The Government’s argument is that the SmartCity had a complete master plan for a similar project in Malta, It is, however, pointed out that projects in Malta and Kochi are incomparable as the former is only one fifth of the size of the latter.

To drive home the difference in scale it is being pointed out that while the Kochi project promises 90,000 direct jobs with a phased development in 10 years, the projected job opportunities in Malta are only in the range of 5,000 to 6,000. It is being pointed out that instead of being proactive to secure SEZ notification, the government sat idle for six months since the receipt of formal SEZ approval in March. Now since it is unable to launch the initial construction work on October 2 as was originally planned the government is indulging in blame game, it is being pointed out.

However, a delay of year or two notwithstanding, SmartCity, it is pointed out, is still capable of completing the phased development of the Kochi project within the deadline of 10 years.

This is because the promoters are capable of completing the project within seven years, while the additional three years have been set apart for contingencies of exactly the same nature it faces currently, it is learnt.

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