Smart City Phase-I to be complete in 18 months

The first phase of Kerala’s mega IT infrastructure project, Smart City in Kochi, will be completed in 18 months, said chief minister Oommen Chandy.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, he said that the implementation of the project will not be delayed and it will be commissioned within the time schedule fixed earlier with the state government and TECOM of Dubai, the overseas partner in the project. There are some minor issues with the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) and this will be solved amicably. The project will not be delayed due to this, he said.

The chief minister said that the Centre’s nod for the Kochi metro rail project is expected anytime soon. The Planning Commission had already given its in-principle clearance for the Rs 6,000-crore project. Construction of the runway for the Kannur international project will commence within this year, while the Vizhinjam international sea port project will also be completed as per the schedule.

“Around Rs 224 crore had already been earmarked for the project in the last Budget. Construction work on the road and rail connectivity to the port is actively progressing as per the schedule,” Chandy said.

Kerala will not lose the railway wagon factory at Cherthala, he said, adding that he will discuss the implementation of the rail coach project at Palakkad with the railway minister.