SmartCity opens its bag of woes.

Road connectivity and land encroachment tops a list of grievances drawn up by Dubai-based promoters of the long-delayed SmartCity Kochi project for the 'urgent attention' of the State government.

The list has already been forwarded to Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson and District Collector M.G. Rajamanickam ahead of their visit soon.

Inadequate or near absent development of Kakkanad-Edachira Road, Vyttila-Eroor-Seaport Airport Road, connectivity linking Chakkaraparambu and Infopark Expressway and proper development of the PWD road between Infopark and Karimugal have been identified in the list.

'The lack of proper connectivity and pitiable state of roads are turning away potential clients,' Baju George, managing director, SmartCity (India), told The Hindu .

Promoters also complained of encroachment of project land to the tune of 27.90 cents by various parties, Mr. George said. SmartCity has also sought registration and stamp duty exemption for its five co-developers roped in to develop a total of 43 lakh sq. ft and a school.

The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) is yet to hand over land in compensation for the overhead cables drawn over the project site.


THE HINDU