Kochi: Smart City gets a push with Elias George on top
Mr. George is currently serving as managing director of Kochi Metro Rail Limited and officer in charge of UMTA.
KOCHI: The state government has appointed Mr Elias George, additional chief secretary (transport) as CEO of the Cochin Smart Mission Limited, the SPV for implementing the Smart City programme.
Mr. George is currently serving as managing director of Kochi Metro Rail Limited and officer in charge of Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority. With his appointment, the functioning of CSML, which has been on a slow pace, is expected to get a push.
Though the CEO has been nominated, the CSML will be fully functional once the board of directors is reconstituted and the employees are recruited. It is the CEO who will manage the day-to-day functioning, including formulation of projects, awarding contracts, HR policy and appointment and removal of senior management of the company, as per the centre’s guidelines.
The first instalment of the centre’s funds to the tune of Rs. 200 crore which is now with the state government can be transferred only after the SPV becomes fully functional.
“Our priority will be using information technology for improving services like electricity, water, waste management and sewerage. But, area development also assumes equal significance. IT enabled services are already being proposed for integration of transport system,” Mr Elias George told DC.
Though the SPV was registered in March, the nomination of the CEO was delayed due to uncertainties and disputes. The City Corporation has objected to the appointment of its secretary Amit Meena as CEO while the second meeting of Smart City High Power Steering Committee objected to the proposal to nominate senior IAS officer K.N. Satheesh as CEO.
The SPV is responsible for mobilizing funds from other sources as per the centre’s Smart City guidelines and it will be the decisive authority in implementing the various projects envisioned.