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The first phase of the proposed Rs 2,000-crore SmartCity project will be completed in the next 18 months.
A pending territorial dispute with the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) had been resolved, the Chief Minister, Mr Oommen Chandy, told newspersons here.
KSEB TOWER
The issue pertained to the erection of transmission tower in the project area.
As part of compromise formula, SmartCity Kochi will now settle for an alternative plot of land in lieu of the land where the tower was being constructed.
This came about after KSEB admitted that the 1.62 acres on which the tower was being built belonged to SmartCity Kochi.
The Chief Minister clarified that work on the SmartCity project would progress on schedule.
“The Government's endeavour would be to see that works do not overshoot the original timeframe,” he added.
He was referring to the agreement signed with Tecom, the Dubai-based promoters of SmartCity Kochi.
KOCHI METRO
The inauguration of the SmartCity Kochi Pavilion, which will house offices for the administrative and project management team, is scheduled for June 9.
The next meeting of the SmartCity Kochi board of directors would be held immediately after the inauguration.
With respect to the Kochi Metro project, Mr Chandy said that all departmental and ministerial clearances had already been received.
“Only the formal approval of the Union cabinet is awaited. But this is expected to come through any time from now,” he added.
Work on the runway of the proposed international airport at Kannur will begin during the course of the year.
The proposed wagon factory at Cherthala would not be allowed to lapse, Mr Chandy said, reacting to reports to the contrary.
These reports had said that the Railways had threatened to withdraw unilaterally from the project due to non-availability of funds.
The coach factory project in Palakkad had recently run into issues pertaining to a stretch of land handed over by the State Government.
The Chief Minister said he would sort out these issues when he meets with the Railway Minister.
VIZHINJAM PROJECT
He also said that work on the Vizhinjam international port and container transhipment terminal would be completed in a time-bound manner.
The Cabinet has also extended its approval for setting up solid waste treatment plants in Kollam, Kottayam and Thrissur districts, the Chief Minister added.
vinson.kurian@thehindu.co.in
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