Kochi Smartcity News
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Kochi Smartcity Project is a project proposed by the Dubai Internet City group. This project involve setting up a huge IT park in Kakkanadu (Kochi, Kerala), expected to provide job opportunities for over 100,000 people.
Latest developments
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| Author: Tony John 01 Jan 2005 | Member Level: Silver Points : 2 |
India Plans High-Tech 'Smart City' - Industry Minister P. K. Kunjalikutty
Nov. 19, 2004:
CBS News reports that Kerala state is planning to develop a 1,000-acre zone called "Smart City," where technology companies from around the world will be invited to set up operations.
The Smartcity, which will be setup outside Cochin city, will include office space, residences, schools, parks, entertainment complex, said Kerala's Industry Minister P. K. Kunjalikutty.
More details: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/11/19/tech/main656681.shtml
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| Author: Tony John 01 Jan 2005 | Member Level: Silver Points : 1 |
Kerala govt received communication that Smartcity will be setup in Kerala
15 Dec 2004: Industries Minister P. K. Kunhalikutty: Kerala government received a communication today that the 'Smart City' project of the Dubai Internet City Group will be set up in Kochi.
More details: http://www.hindu.com/2004/12/16/stories/2004121606730400.htm
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| Author: Tony John 28 Apr 2005 | Member Level: Silver Points : 2 |
Kerala makes final bid for Dubai internet city
With Kerala keen on winning the ambitious Smart City project ahead of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, the delegation of Dubai Internet City (DIC) began the two-day wrap-up discussions with the State Government representatives here today.
The team, on its second visit, arrived here this morning and held discussions with the State government officials besides visiting the proposed sites at Infopark at Kakkanad and Brahmapuram near here.
DIC chief planning and business development officer Deepak Padmanabhan assessed the sites as quite potential but did not further commit on the chances of Kerala winning the project against stiff competition from neighbouring States of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
After final discussions with representatives, including the Chief Secretary, the team would fly back to report to the Director Board for a final decision on the project.
It is learnt that the DIC, which was offered free land by other States, was not ready to accept the 64-acre land here at Rs 134 crore, as quoted by the State Government and had asked for lowering the prices.
However, the four-member senior DIC delegation is believed to be satisfied with the connectivity and other advantages here but the final roadblock is the prices of the land.
Kerala had committed on 100 acres to DIC free of cost. The existing Infopark facility and the campus comprise the 100 acres committed by the government in return for a DIC offer of 33,000 jobs within the first year of starting business. Initial investments are estimated at 400 million dollars.
However, the Government later fixed prices to the land after general criticism that it was gifting away the prime land to the foreign player.
The DIC team, after its first visit to the City and issues about land, had visited Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore later, thus putting the three other States also in the race for the project.
According to the Smart City plans, it requires another 300 acres to set up project where IT majors in Dubai are expected to move in along with the DIC.
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| Author: Tony John 30 Apr 2005 | Member Level: Silver Points : 2 |
Smart City: Chandy's efforts bear fruit
30 April 2005
Kerala lost a prestigious investment opportunity when telecom major Nokia decided to set up its Rs 675-crore facility in Tamil Nadu, thanks to the intense political lobbying by politicians from that state in Delhi.
However, the single-handed initiative by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has managed to get Kerala a major investment opportunity in the green sector - the Rs 1,500-crore Smart City proposed by the Dubai Internet City which will come up in Kochi.
According to sources, it was an ultimatum given by Chandy a week ago to top government officials to `go and get the project at any cost' that clinched one of the major IT initiatives in the history of the state. The project promises employment opportunities for 33,000 directly and nearly 70,000 indirectly.
A final MoU for the project will be inked before May 15 and the preliminary works will begin within 30 days of the signing of agreement. A consensus in this regard was reached at the two-day discussion between top government officials and the DIC delegation which ended in Kochi on Thursday.
The project, which demanded as many as 300 acres of land in Kochi at a cheaper rate, evoked criticism from a section of political leaders, particularly the CPM-led Opposition, right from the beginning.
According to them, the move would finally end up in the state losing huge area of land without substantial return in terms of employment generation.
Adding more trouble to the smooth processing of the project proposal, the state bureaucracy failed to prepare a draft MoU within the stipulated time frame set by the DIC.
This website’s newspaper had reported that the MoU, which was earlier scheduled to be signed before December 2004, was prepared only after the time frame, that too after the direct intervention of the Chief Minister.
The other contenders for the prestigious project were Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh which offered a number of incentives, including free land, to the DIC.
The DIC team first arrived in the state for a site visit on October 30, 2004, and it was here for three more days evaluating the advantages of the site being offered to it.
This was followed by a three-day discussion between the DIC team and top officials during the last week of January 2005. However, the discussion could not reach anywhere at that time mainly owing to differences over the price of land.
Highly-placed sources told this website’s newspaper that according to the consensus reached between the State Government representatives and the DIC officials on Thursday, the details of which has been kept as top secret for Cabinet discussion, the State Government will hand over 300 acres of land to the DIC for a price matching the actual expenditure incurred to the government for acquiring that much of land.
This will be applicable to only 200 acres of land as the 100 acres of land at Brahmapuram will be given free of cost to the DIC according to land allocation guidelines in the State IT policy.
“The DIC team was not happy with the offer at first, but it finally agreed to the government stand. Actually, the bargaining over the land price remained inconclusive till the last 20 minutes of the final discussion,” they said.
A consensus was also reached on the price of the 64-acre Infopark at Kakkanad which will be handed over to the DIC as part of the project. “It has been agreed that the investment made by the government for setting up the park along with an additional premium will be charged for the park. This will remain as the government equity in the project.
The DIC has also been asked to keep the commitments and promises of Infopark towards the business houses already functioning in the park. However, a final agreement regarding the price of Infopark is still pending with the top authorities of the DIC, they said.
The DIC, as it proposed earlier, agreed to give the government an assurance regarding the number of employment opportunities being generated as part of the Smart City project. “It has agreed to give compensation to the state if it fails to generate the promised number of employment,” they said.
The Smart City, an extension of Dubai Internet City with global IT and IT-enabled majors, will be developed in three phases with the first phase alone pumping in Rs 850 crore.
More details: http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IER20050429112400&Page=R&Title=Kerala&Topic=0
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| Author: Tony John 01 May 2005 | Member Level: Silver Points : 2 |
Kochi to become the venue for Smart City
The Dubai Internet City and Kerala government in principle agreed to setup the Smartcity in Kochi, which is expected to generate 33,000 employment opportunities in the state.
Once completed, this will be one of the largest IT park in India, spread across around 400 acres of land identified by Kerala government.
The Smartcity project is expected to change the face of Kerala, especially Kochi.
More details: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/05/02/stories/2005050200091300.htm
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| Author: Tony John 04 May 2005 | Member Level: Silver Points : 2 |
Oommen Chandy government cabinet approves Smart City project
4 MAY 2005
Thiruvananthapuram, May 4 (UNI) The Kerala Cabinet today approved in principle a Rs 1,500 crore 'Smart City' project to be implemented at Kochi by the Dubai Internet City(DIC), Chief Minister Oommen Chandy announced today.
The state Govenment will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the DIC shortly, the Chief Minister told newspersons here after a meeting of the state Cabinet.
Stating that the Law and Finance Departments had been asked to study the draft MoU, he said the Smart City project, in which the government would have nine per cent equity participation, would generate 33,300 direct employments within the next ten years.
In the first phase, the DIC would invest Rs 1,500 crore for the project.
All the issues relating to the handing over of the land had been sorted out, he said, adding the Info Park and surrounding 62.27 acres of land would be given to the DIC at a cost of Rs 109 crore.
Another 136 acres of land in the vicity would be handed over to them at Rs 36 crore.
As part of the state government's IT policy under which those who create 100 job opportunities could be given 30 cents of land, the government would give another 100 acres of land free of cost to the DIC which promised to generate 33,300 job opportunities in a phased manner within the next ten years.
Mr Chandy, who visited the Dubai Internet City during his two-day Gulf tour, said the Smart City would also have world class infrastructure to woo major companies to Kerala.
Denying the charges of Leader of the Opposition V S Achuthanandan that corruption was involved in the land deal with the DIC, Mr Chandy said the entire process would be done in a transparent manner.
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| Author: Tony John 05 May 2005 | Member Level: Silver Points : 2 |
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy rejects charges on paying 2 crores to consulting agency
Opposition leader V S Achuthananthan alleged that Oommen Chandy government paid Rs 2 crore to a private consulting agency for preparing an agreement between Kerala government and Dubai Internet City. However, chief minister Oommen Chandy ruled out this saying "There no money paid to any consulting agency for this purpose. Though the consultancy firm was involved in the initial stage, the final round of negotiations with the DIC was conducted by a team led by the state chief secretary"
More details: http://www.rediff.com/money/2005/may/25kochi.htm
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| Author: Tony John 21 Jun 2005 | Member Level: Silver Points : 2 |
Oommen Chandy rules out charges of accepting Rs 500 crore bribe for Smartcity
Chief minister Oommen Chandy today ruled out the charges of accepting Rs 500 crore bribe from the Dubai Internet City for allowing them to setup the Smart city project in Kochi. According to him, Kerala government has offered only Rs 20 crore concession in the form of 100 acres of land, under the IT policy of the state. He assured that his government is committed on bringing foreign investments to the state. The smart city project will go ahead in spite of baseless allegations against his government.
More details: http://www.hindu.com/2005/06/21/stories/2005062107280500.htm
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| Author: Tony John 27 Jun 2005 | Member Level: Silver Points : 1 |
DYFI agitation postponed
DYFI postponed it's agitation against the government plans to hand over Infopark to the proposed Smartcity. The "human chain" against the government decision is postponed from June 28 to July 13.
More details: http://www.hindu.com/2005/06/27/stories/2005062716150300.htm
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| Author: Tony John 20 Jul 2005 | Member Level: Silver Points : 2 |
Kerala High Court dismisses petition against Koch Smart City project
Kerala high court rejected a writ petition filed by Mr N. Venugopal, General Secretary of National Congress (Indira). In the petition, he was seeking for a direction by the court to the State Government to publish the terms and conditions agreed between the Government and the Dubai Internet City for the Smart City project.
Mr Venugopal accused that government has no authority to sell a profit making entity like Infopark.
However, court dismissed the petition saying the allegations are just based on news paper reports and government has not made any decisions yet.
More details: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/07/21/stories/2005072101191900.htm
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| Author: Tony John 11 Aug 2005 | Member Level: Silver Points : 2 |
Kerala cabinet approved the draft of MoU
Kerala cabinet today approved the draft of MoU to be signed with the Dubai Internet City (DIC) for the Kochi Smartcity project. A major change in the approved draft from previous discussions are:
1. Instead of giving 100 acres of land for free, it will be given on 99 years lease.
2. There will be clause in the agreement that allow government to take back the land, if Smartcity does not generate the proposed job opportunities.
3. Government did not accept the demand of the promoters that no similar projects should come up anywhere between Kozhikode and Alappuzha
Other important points in MoU:
1. Infopark will be sold to DIC for Rs 109 crore along with it's 62.5 acres of land
2. Government will acquire and sell 136 acres of land to the company
More details: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/08/12/stories/2005081203301900.htm
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| Author: Tony John 09 Sep 2005 | Member Level: Silver Points : 2 |
"Do not sign MoU" - V S Achuthanandan to Oommen Chandy
In an open letter to chief minister, the opposition leader Mr. V S Achuthanandan demanded that government should not sign the MoU with the Dubai Internet City since it contain several provisions against the interests of the state. He asked government to include provisions to take back the land if the company fail to generate the promised number of job opportunities.
More details: http://www.hindu.com/2005/09/09/stories/2005090912740400.htm
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| Author: Tony John 09 Sep 2005 | Member Level: Silver Points : 0 |
MoU signed for Kochi Smartcity
The MoU for Kochi Smartcity project is signed today.
More details: http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/business/2005/September/business_September
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| Author: Tony John 09 Sep 2005 | Member Level: Silver Points : 1 |
BJP accuses the Kochi Smartcity project is a security threat for the state and country
Mr. O Rajagopal, a respected leader of BJP, accused that the Smartcity project will become a security threat for the country and Oommen Chandy governement should not rush to sign the Memorandum Of Understanding. He requested the government to publish the draft of MoU before it is signed.
More details: http://inhome.rediff.com/money/2005/sep/09smart.htm
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| Author: Tony John 03 Mar 2006 | Member Level: Silver Points : 2 |
DYFI will not permit Smart City at Infopark
DYFI state secretary A. Pradeepkumar said DYFI will not allow Dubai Internet City (DIC) to operate their controversial "Smart City" project on the Government-owned Infopark premises in Kochi. He accused that the Oommen Chandy government is interested only in real estate deals and getting commission, instead of real investments good for the state.
More details: http://www.hindu.com/2006/03/03/stories/2006030300730500.htm
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| Author: Tony John 30 Apr 2007 | Member Level: Silver Points : 1 |
CPI(ML) plans stir against Smart City
The central secretary of CPI-ML Mr. K.N. Ramachandran announced that CPI (ML) will start strong agitations against the proposed "Smart City" project in Kochi and all other SEZ projects in the Kerala. He accused that SEZ will allow companies operate as if they are not under any state laws.
More details: http://resistanceindia.blogspot.com/2007/04/cpiml-plans-stir-against-smart-city.html
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| Author: Tony John 16 Nov 2007 | Member Level: Silver Points : 1 |
Foundation stone unveiled for Kochi Smartcity
Chief minister V S Achuthanandan unveiled the foundation stone for Kochi Smartcity project by a mouse click !
The 800 crore project will be modelled on Dubai Internet city, Dubai Media city and Dubai Knowledge Village. This project is expected to generate over 90,000 job opportunities.
More details: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/11/17/stories/2007111751022100.htm
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| Author: Tony John 28 Jun 2008 | Member Level: Silver Points : 2 |
Colin Buchanan appointed as the master planners for Smartcity
Kochi Smartcity announced the appointment of UK based Colin Buchanan as the master planners for the prestigious Kochi Smartcity project.
On the appointment of Colin Buchanan as the master planner, Fareed Abdulrahman commented, "SmartCity will develop the master plan in consultation with Colin Buchanan; at the same time we will continue to actively consult the state government and the local community on our joint IT/ITES vision to ensure the success of the self-sustained business township".
With their unparalleled global proficiency, Colin Buchanan will be the main consultants developing the master plan for SmartCity Kochi
More details: http://www.smartcity.ae/news/06282008.html
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| Author: Tony John 12 Jul 2008 | Member Level: Silver Points : 2 |
Mouchel appointed as infrastructure consultant for Smart City
SmartCity Kochi has appointed Mouchel as the infrastructure consultants.
Fareed Abdulrahman, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the SmartCity and board member of SmartCity Kochi and SmartCity Malta, said: "Mouchel will develop and deliver advanced intricate infrastructure that will set a new benchmark for India. The state-of-the-art infrastructure that SmartCity Kochi will provide will be unique and create an ideal location where knowledge is placed at the fingertips of local, regional and international companies"
More details: http://www.arabnews.com/?page=9§ion=0&article=111734&d=12&m=7&y=2008
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| Author: Tony John 12 Jul 2008 | Member Level: Silver Points : 2 |
Kerala government accuses Smart City developer of raising fresh demands
Kerala Fisheries Minister S. Sarma accused the Dubai Smartcity is now making fresh demands that were not part of the original agreement.
Couple of days back Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan said the global slowdown might delay the launch of Kochi’s Smart City project.
Sarma said: "Now they want to get free hold rights of 12 percent of total project land, which amounts to 39 acres. As per the agreement, this becomes due only after the master plan is ready. But the plan is yet to be ready"
More details: http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/business/kerala-accuses-smart-city-developer-of-raising-fresh-de
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| Author: Tony John 04 Aug 2008 | Member Level: Silver Points : 1 |
"Hill International" to run Project Management of Kochi Smartcity project
The project management of SmartCity (Kochi) Infrastructure Private Ltd is outsourced to the global construction risk management company "Hill International". The duration of the contract is 2.5 years and the total estimate is worth INR 373 million.
More details: http://ir.hillintl.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=326099
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| Author: Tony John 15 Jun 2009 | Member Level: Silver Points : 2 |
Smart City exits Kerala
The Dubai based Smartcity announced today that they will cancel the Kochi Smartcity project that they have been negotiating with the Kerala government. They blamed the red tape and lack of interest in the CPI(M) led government of Kerala for their decision to exit the Kochi Smart city project.
In a press statement released by the company stated that it has withdrawn the contract with the UK based consultancy which was appointed as the master planner Colin Buchanan to develop the Smart City in Kerala.
More details: http://www.rediff.com/money/2009/jun/15smart-city-exits-kerala.htm
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| Author: Tony John 29 Sep 2009 | Member Level: Silver Points : 2 |
Directors of SmartCity Kochi to meet
The director board of Kochi Smartcity has decided to hold it's 6th board meeting at the Taj Green Cove Resort at Kovalam. Representatives of state government and Dubai Internet City will attend the board meeting.
This meeting is being held after a gap of nine months and in the midst of controversies over the 12 per cent free hold land.
More details: http://beta.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/article26534.ece
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| Author: Tony John 19 Nov 2009 | Member Level: Silver Points : 1 |
Smart City Dubai is broke: V S Achuthanandan
Kerala Chief Minister Mr. V.S. Achuthanandan said Dubai Smart City is 'broke'.
According to Mr. V S Achuthanandan, since they (Smart City Dubai) don't have money, they are now trying to come up with numerous excuses.
More details: http://www.mathrubhumi.org/news.php?id=26387
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| Author: Tony John 31 Dec 2009 | Member Level: Silver Points : 2 |
SmartCity Dubai to lose CFO
The executive director for corporate finance for Smartcity Dubai Mr. Teddy Maroun left the company. He is leaving the company after holding the executive director position for a year.
According to Smartcity officials, Mr. Maroun is leaving the position voluntarily and in a planned manner. This was a contract position for a year and is not renewed again.
More details: http://www.di-ve.com/Default.aspx?ID=72&Action=1&NewsID=68097&
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| Author: Tony John 09 Feb 2010 | Member Level: Silver Points : 2 |
'Smart City Kochi delay due to government ineffectiveness': Oommen Chandy
Responding to queries on Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan's statement about the Kochi Smartcity project, Leader of Opposition Mr. Oommen Chandy told reporters:
"This government is completing four years in office shortly. The government lacks the will to do things because of their own contradictions and the easiest thing is to blame all and sundry for one's own failure and they are doing just that".
More details: http://www.prokerala.com/news/articles/a113742.html
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| Author: Tony John 13 Feb 2010 | Member Level: Silver Points : 2 |
Final decision on Smart City in a month: Sarma
Fisheries minister and chairman of Kochi Smartcity announced that a final decision on the Smartcity project will be made within 1 month. He added that there are many other takers for the Smartcity project if Tecom cannot stick to the original agreement.
The major disagreement between Tecom and Government of Kerala is on the 12% freehold land. Tecom has been demanding the free-hold land right immediately, while the government is sticking to the clause in the framework agreement that free-hold land right could be granted only after the completion of the master plan.
More details: http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Final+decision+on+Smart+City+in+a+month:+Sarma&artid=zFBvNRBaLec=&SectionID=1ZkF/jmWuSA=&MainSectionID=1ZkF/jmWuSA=&SEO=S+Sarma,+Tecom,+State+Cabinet,+CPM&SectionName=X7s7i|xOZ5Y=
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| Author: Tony John 17 Feb 2010 | Member Level: Silver Points : 1 |
Smartcity within 1 year, if UDF comes to power
KPCC president Mr. Ramesh Chennithala claimed that Kochi Smart city will become a reality within 1 year if UDF comes to power in Kerala.
More details: http://www.asianetindia.com/news/cpm-mysterious-agenda-smartcitychennithala_129280.html
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| Author: Tony John 03 Mar 2010 | Member Level: Silver Points : 1 |
IT sector is safe even without Smart city: V.S
Kerala chief minister Mr V S Achuthanandan today stated that IT sector of Kerala has achieved significant progress and it is safe even without the Smartcity. He added that his government has done everything to ensure that 10,000 crore investment will be made in the IT sector of Kerala.
More details: http://www.asianetindia.com/news/sector-safe-smart-city_133396.html
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| Author: Tony John 10 Mar 2010 | Member Level: Silver Points : 2 |
Kerala rejects Tecom's demand for freehold
Kerala government today officially informed the Dubai based partner of Smartcity that it cannot wait indefinitely on the Smartcity project. Also, government rejected the Tecom's demand for 12% freehold land saying it is ot part of the original agreement.
Kerala chief minister Mr. V S Achuthanadan accused that the financial position of the Smartcity Dubai is shaky and that is why they are trying to delay the project by making fresh demands like free hold land.
More details: http://www.ptinews.com/news/558319_Smartcity--Kerala-rejects-Tecom-s-demand-for-freehold
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