New Delhi: The proposed SmartCity Kochi project today got the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) status approval from the Board of Approval (BoA) under the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, for 114 acres of land out of the total 246 acres. The Central Government had in March this year issued a notification granting SEZ status for 132 acres of land. The decision on approval for the remaining 114 acres was deferred that time keeping in mind the election model code of conduct.

Kochi: The proposed SmartCity Kochi project is expected to cost Rs.2,000 crores, about Rs.500 crores more than what was previously projected. According to Tecom sources, the project’s initial investment was estimated at UAE Dh 1.2 billion (about Rs.1,500 crores) to be spent on building the infrastructure. This has now been revised to Dh 1.6 billion. The project which was given a ten year deadline has now been cut to five and half years.

Dubai: The second Project Monitoring Committee meeting of the SmartCity Kochi project, which was held today in Dubai, reviewed the progress of the project so far and set the timeline for the first year's activities and allotted the required funds for the same. The work on SmartCity Pavilion, which will showcase the various advanced technological advancement of SmartCity and the offices for the Administrative and Project Management team, will begin on September 29, 2011 as per the deadlines set with the Kerala Government.

Kochi: Dr. Baju George, a veteran management professional, has taken charge as the Managing Director of SmartCity Kochi project being promoted by the Dubai based Tecom Investments. Dr. Baju, who was holding the position of Project Director- Real Estate at Dubai International Financial Centre Authority, was earlier in charge of SmartCity Kochi when the project was floated, in his capacity as the Director of Projects at Tecom Investments.

Tvm: GTech (Group of Technology Companies), the industry body of the software companies in Kerala, today welcomed the agreement reached between the Government of Kerala and the representatives of Tecom Investments to fast track the implementation of the SmartCity Kochi project.

Tvm: The much awaited SmartCity Kochi project got a fresh set of deadlines and impetus today after a meeting of the delegates from Tecom, the promoters of the SmartCity Kochi project, with the Kerala Government in Trivandrum. Tecom would reopen its Kochi office before August 31, 2011 and present the concept master plan by September. The work on the first phase 3.5 lakh sq.ft. building would start by October 31 and this would be rolled out by October 31, 2012.