Date:16/12/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/12/16/stories/2004121601461700.htm

Back Dubai company to set up `Smart City' in Kochi

Our Bureau

Thiruvananthapuram , Dec. 15

AFTER scouting for various locations in South India, Dubai Internet City has decided to set up its proposed `Smart City' in Kochi.

The Dubai-based company conveyed its decision to the State Government on Wednesday, according to Mr P.K. Kunhalikutty, Industries Minister.

He told reporters here on Wednesday that the Rs 1,500-crore project was expected to be located near the Infopark at Kakkanad. The project will need around 1,000 acres, out of which 200 acres has already been identified.

The Smart City will be home to ventures in information technology and IT-enabled services. Besides, it will also have telecom and media companies.

Mr Kunhalikutty said that the city was expected to provide direct and indirect employment to around one lakh people. The Government would hold detailed discussions with Dubai Internet City before finalising the project, he added.

The Minister, while explaining the achievements of his ministry during the Government's 100-day action plan, said the "Thiruvananthapuram IT Corridor" was becoming a reality. IT major Infosys was set to start its start its operations on a 50-acre plot in the corridor soon, he noted.

For the development of Infopark in Kochi, steps have been initiated to acquire 135 acres of land, in addition to the existing 80 acres. Also, administrative sanction has been given for acquiring the necessary land for laying a four-lane road connecting Infopark with Airport-Seaport Highway.

The Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation has acquired 126 acres of land in Kannur district to set up the Textile Centre Infrastructure Develop- ment Scheme project and has appointed FACT Engineering & Design Organisation as the project management consultant.

The project, estimated to cost Rs 30.5 crore, is slated to be completed in 18 months.

The Minister said that all the factories under the Cashew Development Corporation had started functioning. The Government has taken over the corporation's liabilities of Rs 107 crore to financial institutions and has already paid Rs 20.5 crore as the first instalment.

An Italian delegation has examined the basic facilities in Kochi for establishing a `Fashion Village' there. Similarly, BMW has conducted a detailed study on setting up of a car manufacturing facility in Kochi. The company will take a final decision on the matter in January next year.

On restructuring of public sector enterprises, the Minister said the proposals of the Enterprises Reforms Committee (ERC) could not be fully implemented. This was mainly because of the Government's inability to find the necessary financial resources and the resistance from the opposition and the trade unions.

Now, the Government has decided to constitute a Cabinet sub-committee comprising ministers of Industries, Finance, Agriculture, Electricity and Labour to chalk out a different approach to the question of restructuring the enterprises.

The Government had given more than Rs 175 crore to PSUs over the last two years, the Minister said.