Decision on Kerala's Smart City soon: Achuthanandan

Friday, 12 January 2007, 18:30 IST
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Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan said a decision on the proposed Smart City project in Kochi would be taken in a week. "We will let you know all other details about this in a week's time," Achuthanandan told reporters on the sidelines of a function here. Talks between the Kerala government and the DIC officials had reached an impasse some months ago. A four-member team led by then IT secretary P.G. Tenzing held talks with DIC in September in Dubai, but the deal is still hanging fire. The DIC team was here in August to revive the proposed 15-billion project after inking an MoU with the then Oommen Chandy government in October 2005. Achuthanandan as opposition leader (2001-06) had steadfastly opposed the transfer of the already developed Infopark campus at Kochi to DIC, as agreed by Chandy. As per the new proposal, Kerala would lease 210 acres of land to DIC for 800 million ($17 million) and no free land would be given to them. Some reports indicate that the project is unlikely to go ahead because Achuthanandan wants the state's share to be increased from nine percent to 26 - a hike DIC is unwilling to dole out. However, Achuthanandan is hopeful that even if DIC drops out of the project, other IT companies would be keen to set up shop in Kerala. But discussions with interested firms would begin only after a final decision is made on DIC's participation.
Source: IANS