SmartCity Kochi asks govt to stop encroachments

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: SmartCity Kochi (SCK) has approached the state government to initiate immediate steps to resolve issues confronting the project, including encroachments in SEZ, besides improvement of road and Metro connectivity to Kakkanad.

The SCK authorities have urged the chief secretary to conduct a site inspection at the earliest. Sources said a team led by chief secretary Jiji Thomson will conduct a site visit in two days to hear out the grievances of SCK officials.

One of the major problems is encroachment of nearly 35 cents of land at three places during the last two years. Besides, the road infrastructure is also required to be improved to meet the huge traffic.

The land which has been encroached upon includes 27.9 cents which are yet to be recovered owing to a dispute. Another five cents had been encroached by Thrikkakkara municipality for building a daycare centre.

Sources said a portion of the fence was cut open to allow heavy vehicles during Phase I construction. A temporary bridge was also built across the Kadaprayar river to approach the PWD road in front of Info Park.

But after the completion of work, the SCK has not been allowed to close the passage. Despite a police case, no action has been taken yet to restore the fence and the gate.

The authorities point out that the encroachments are a serious violation which could even pose serious threat to their SEZ status.

The authorities claimed that their first building which is one of the largest Leed Platinum Rated IT building in the country, is getting ready for operation.

The construction for another 43 lakh square feet of IT space is also happening soon. They said within the next two-and-a-half years, SCK will have 50 lakh sq ft of IT space and allied social infrastructure including an international school besides direct employment potential for more than 50,000 knowledge workers.