KOCHI: A review meeting on the progress work on Smart City project held in Kochi on Friday has failed to provide a firm date for the completion of the first phase of the project.
The meeting chaired by K Suresh Kumar Principal Secretary, special projects attended by district collector MG Rajamanikam and other senior officials has concluded that work is progressing well and the first phase is likely to be completed in September.
Smart City project, a joint venture between the state government and the Dubai-based TECOM, billed as one of the dream projects in developing a globally benchmarked IT industry township in Kerala.
The work on infrastructure projects connected with Smart City including the approach road is progressing well, Suresh Kumar said in a statement, after the meeting.
The matter connected with electricity connection will be taken up with the state government, he added.
Out of the Rs 650 cr for the first phase of the project, Rs 400 cr had already been spent. The State Government provides 16 per cent total cost for the project.
According to Suresh Kumar by 5 million sq ft built-up area in connection with the project will be completed by 2018.
Encroachment to the land allocated for Smart City has already been evicted, the statement said. Steps are also on to acquire 19 cents of land with title deed for the project, it said.
Fort Kochi sub-collector A Suhas said land acquisition of both revenue and private lands needed for the project is yet to be completed.
