Final decision on SmartCity Project shortly: Sarma

KOCHI: Minister for Registration S Sarma, who is also the Chairman of SmartCity, Kochi, today said the government would shortly take a final decision on the Rs 1,500 crore IT project, which was stalled due to difference of opinion with the projects Dubai-based promoters TECOM.

Speaking to reporters here today, Sarma said the government was pursuing legal advice in the matter as TECOM did not recognise the explanations given by the government on the demand for freehold rights by the promoters.

The promoters were insisting on sales rights of land, which was not in the agreement and this clearly shows that they are deviating from the agreement, he said. The government will take a final decision on the matter and legal advice had been sought on the matter, he added. On the upcoming LNG terminal project, which was slated to be commissioned in 2011, Sarma said the government would be convening two meetings to sort out certain pending issues.

The first meeting, to be held in the third week of this month, would be chaired by Mr Sarma to sort out local issues relating to the project. The second meeting, to be held in the first week of next month, would be chaired by Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan and attended union government agencies to discuss certain matters relating to the project