Capital can draw lessons from Kochi: Mayor Soumini Jain

Thiruvananthapuram: The Wheels of Thiruvananthapuram’s smart city project have officially been set in motion. The state-level high powered steering committee, on Friday, placed the temporary charge of steering the project on the shoulders of Ms Deepa L. S., city corporation secretary. She will be the Chief Executive Officer in-charge of the Special Purpose Vehicle, the company that will implement the smart city project, until July 30, the deadline by which the government has to announce its CEO.

“The focus will be on completing all tasks in a time-bound manner,” said Deepa. It was decided that the registration of the SPV would be completed by July 31. The SHPSC vested with her and the Board of Directors the authority to identify a company secretary, finalise its bylaws and register the SPV. Apart from the Corporation Secretary, the Board has Thiruvananthapuram Mayor, LSGD Principal Secretary, LSGD Secretary, PWD Secretary, District Collector, Kerala Water Authority MD, Water Resources Secretary, Urban Affairs Director and TRIDA Secretary as its directors.

The SPV will be chaired by the Chief Secretary. Thiruvananthapuram was at an advantage, as it can draw lessons from Kochi, according to Kochi Corporation Mayor Soumini Jain. Kochi smart city project was also discussed. “A board meeting of Cochin Smart Mission Limited will be held at the earliest to appoint project management consultants. The qualification norms of key CSML positions including that of the CFO will be relaxed. A meeting will be held with KWA to expedite the 24X7 water supply project,” said Soumini Jain. The name of the Thiruvananthapuram SPV has not been finalised. Mayor V K Prasanth has reportedly suggested ‘Smart Trivandrum’ as an option.