The Hindu - Kerala 07.08.2009

Talks on SmartCity soon: Sarma

Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister for Fisheries S. Sarma said here on Thursday that talks with Gulf-based TECOM for starting the work on the SmartCity Project in Kochi would resume soon.

Implementation of the project had come to a standstill following TECOM’s demand that the government should release land promised to be given as “free hold” to the company for implementing the project. However, the government maintained that the land could be given only after approval of the master plan and commencement of work on the project.

Policy decision

Mr. Sarma, who is heading the joint sector company formed to implement the SmartCity Project, said that this involved a policy decision and the matter was under the government’s consideration. The free hold would constitute 12 per cent of the land being handed over for the project.

He said that the project would not suffer because of government stance, if the promoters were willing to go by the agreement signed with the government.

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan had said on Wednesday that there was progress in resolving the issues involved though a breakthrough was yet to be achieved.