Tvm: Is it the end of the road for the proposed SmartCity Kochi project promoted by the Dubai based Tecom? At least while the LDF is in power in Kerala? Well, that seems to be the message going by the Chief Minister, who was briefing the media today after the weekly Cabinet Meeting.
But contrary to what the Fisheries Minister and Chairman of Smart City Kochi Director Board S Sarma said yesterday, a final decision was not taken in today’s Cabinet though the CM did say that some decisions on the SmartCity Kochi project were taken and these would be communicated at the right time.
It was the usual rhetoric by the CM who said that Tecom’s demands are unreasonable and not confirming to the agreement signed with them. He alleged that Tecom didn’t start the work even after three years of laying the foundation stone.
Coincidently, today is the third anniversary of that function. Meanwhile the Congress-led Opposition is planning a march to the SmartCity Kochi venue to place a wreath on the foundation stone.
The State Government had on September 02, 2010 asked Tecom, to clarify its stand on the project. Chief Minister Shri V S Achuthanandan had asked Tecom to respond to the Chief Secretary within a fortnight on whether it was going ahead with the project or not, failing which, it will be understood that Tecom was no longer interested in the project. Tecom had intimated its decision to go ahead with the project but with the terms as mentioned in the original agreement.
The SmartCity Kochi project hasn’t taken off since its launch about five years back. Even as this project hangs in limbo, Tecom announced the launch of their SmartCity Malta project on October 12, 2010. Both the projects were started almost simultaneously by Tecom Investment Group, the promoters of the SmartCity projects.
Anil Philip
Kerala IT News
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