KOCHI: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will unveil the first phase of Kerala’s dream project, SmartCity Kochi, promoted by Dubai-based Tecom Group, on February 20.
The project, to witness an unprecedented inaugural show, will be dedicated to the nation in the presence of Mr Mohammed Al Gargawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, UAE, and Chairman of Dubai Holding, Mr Ahmad Binbyat, vice-chairman and MD, Dubai Holding, Industry and IT Minister P. K. Kunhalikutty and Opposition leader VS Achuthanandan, Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson said after a review meeting of the project on Saturday.
The inauguration will also be marked by the launch of the second phase of the project. The inaugural function will also be attended by leading businessmen such as Yousuff Ali M A and Mr Sunny Varkey.
SmartCity Kochi will feature India’s tallest building for software firms in the second phase. “The first building of 650,000 sq ft is ready for opening.
“It will also see the groundbreaking of seven information technology blocks adding another 4.7 million sq ft and an international school with a capacity of 3400 students”, said Mr Thomson.
SCK is the second offshore hub of the knowledge-based industries of Dubai’s Tecom Investments after SmartCity Malta. It envisages 8.8 million sq ft when completed, and 90,000 software professionals will work there.
“So far we have leased out 75 percent of the built-up space to 27 firms and (the remaining) one floor is reserved for a major company. They will be operational in three months,” SmartCity managing director Baju George said.
“All of them are multinational companies already operational in India. At least 5,500 professionals can work on a shift now, and the number of jobs can go up if the companies utilize the excess capacity and introduce more shifts.”
Sands Infrabuild, promoted by Mr Yusuffali MA, is building a 30-storey twin tower, the tallest, while Mr Varkey is setting up the international school under his GEMS brand which has a presence in 14 countries.
