Chief secretary Jiji Thomson inspects SmartCity site today

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson will inspect SmartCity Kochi site on Friday to assess the present situation in the project area and resolve issues related to encroachment and infrastructure facilities.

Ahead of the chief secretary’s visit, SmartCity managing director Baju George met collector M.G. Rajamanickam in Kochi on Thursday and held preliminary discussions on the pending issues.

The collector has promised to initiate immediate measures to resolve encroachments and has directed revenue officials concerned to look into the issues raised by SmartCity Kochi officials.

The chief secretary led team will also hold discussion with the SmartCity Kochi officials on the sidelines of the visit.

One of the major problems being raised by the SmartCity officials is encroachment of nearly 35 cents of land at three places.

The encroached land 27.9 cents which is yet to be recovered owing to a dispute. Another five cents had been encroached by Thrikkakkara municipality for building a day care.

The matter regarding delay in restoring the fence and gate which was cut open to allow heavy vehicles during the first phase construction work. Though the authorities had taken up the matter with the police, the fence and gate are yet to be restored.

The authorities have pointed out that the encroachments could even pose threat to their SEZ status.

The first building which is one of the largest Leed Platinum Rated IT building in the country, is getting ready for operation. The construction for another 43 lakh sq ft of IT space is also coming up shortly.

Within next two and a half years SCK will have 50 lakh sq ft of IT space and allied social infrastructure including an international scho-ol besides direct employment potential for over 50,000 knowledge workers.