Date:08/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/08/stories/2006090813750100.htm

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Smart City: further talks next week

Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A team of officials representing the State Government will visit Dubai next week to take forward the ongoing negotiations with the Dubai Internet City (DIC) on setting up the Smart City at Kakkanad in Kochi.

Since the visit of top officials of the DIC to Kerala last month, the Government had sent to the DIC a draft agreement between the two sides for the project. The DIC is expected to make clear its views on the clauses included in the draft agreement.

The DIC had already indicated to the State Government its keenness to proceed with the project after receiving the draft agreement. This did not, however, mean that it would not ask for some changes in the terms.

The proposal now is that the State Government will acquire the land required by the DIC and transfer the rights to the Infopark for the purpose of promoting IT industry.

The Infopark will then lease the land to the DIC for setting up the Smart City. A major portion of the land initially required for the project is already under the control of the Government since it is with public sector institutions such as the Kerala State Electricity Board and the Kerala Infrastructure Development Corporation.