SmartCity : A dream comes alive

indian express

SmartCity : A dream comes alive

The first phase of the proposed SmartCity Kochi project will turn operational within two years. The work of the pavilion will be completed within 14 weeks. After the completion of the pavilion first phase of the project will start immediately and it is expected to be complete within 20 months.

Abdul Latif Al Mulla, Group CEO of TECOM Investments, said that SmartCity was a strategic project for Kerala. “We are committed to create 90,000 jobs as per the framework agreement. It will attract Foreign Direct Investments and talented people to the State. And it will create the right opportunities for many start-ups to grow,” he said. Multiplier effects are expected to bring several other benefits to the state.

SmartCity Kochi is not merely an IT project, but a major initiative with unique features that can create substantial employment and nurture Kerala's economy to the next level of growth. This should send an important message that Kerala is investor-friendly. SmartCity Kochi will be followed by other mega projects.

The project was originally initiated by Kunhalikkutty, the Kerala IT Minister in A K Antony's Government in 2004. Later when Oommen Chandy was the Chief Minister, the Government invited the Dubai Internet City officials for a feasibility study and later the MoU was signed in year 2005. Due to protest from opposition parties who alleged that the agreement is not in the best interests of the state and due to upcoming state assembly election, the Government could not go ahead with the project.

After V. S Achuthanandan took over as the Chief Minister, he invited the Dubai Internet City team for another round of discussions. He proposed new suggestions and altered the earlier MoU signed by the Oommen Chandy Government. On 13 May 2007, the officials of the Government of Kerala and TECOM Investments signed the altered framework agreement. Then for the next four years, the project was in a standstill mode due to unresolved differences between State Government and TECOM.

After the UDF Government came to power special effort was taken for releasing Rs 1,500-crore for the IT park project which was conceived as a panacea for investment deadlock in God’s Own Country.

Groundbreaking of SmartCity was performed jointly by the Chief Minister, TECOM CEO and Smart City vice-chairman Abul Latif Al Mulla and Kerala Industries and IT Minister PK Kunhalikutty in the presence of a host of dignitaries like Excise Minister K Babu and project monitoring committee member and Gulf-based industrialist MA Yusuffali.

SmartCity is a self-sustained industry township for knowledge-based companies located in the city of Kochi, the commercial capital of the south Indian state of Kerala.

To be developed by SmartCity and the Government of Kerala, SmartCity Kochi will be one of India’s largest business parks.

Based on the successful models of Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Dubai Knowledge Village, SmartCity Kochi will provide an infrastructure, environment and support systems to promote the growth of knowledge-based industry companies.

Multiplier effects are expected to bring several other benefits to the state.