Master plan for SmartCity Kochi to be ready soon

SmartCity Kochi, which has gained momentum in the past weeks, will be ready with its master plan in a few months. Sources said the master plan would have the full picture of the entire ‘knowledge-industry township,’ with all its constructions and ancillary facilities on the 243-acre site. The State Expert Appraisal Committee, which recommends environment clearance for major projects to the State Level Environment Impact Assessment, on July 6.

The committee has reportedly taken a positive view of the company’s application and a decision on the clearance would be taken by the authority at its meeting on July 19. The current application relates to the first phase of the project involving about 6.5 lakh square feet of built-up area on 50 acres. If the July 19 meeting of the SEIAA okays the project, the construction would begin in a fortnight, the company sources said.

The first-phase building, scheduled to be completed in less than two years, will house information technology and IT-enabled services firms. The cost of construction would be around Rs. 160 crore. The company is expected to move the application for environment clearance for the second phase in six months. Before this, the master plan will be ready.

The keystone for SmartCity Kochi, one of the two such projects launched by the Dubai-based Tecom Investments, was laid some six years ago. Its twin sister, SmartCity Malta, has advanced far ahead and the first building was opened in 2010.