KOCHI: The Cochin Smart Mission Limited (CSML) has floated the Request for Proposal to select a project management consultant to design, develop, manage and implement the Rs 1,000-crore Smart City programme. The consultant will specifically focus on area-based development, and given the wide range of technical and sector specific expertise required for implementing the projects, CSML will also be supported by a team of consultants for strategic, technical and project management support.
The consultant will also be responsible for supporting the mission for
formulating projects and preparing detailed project reports. The RFP was issued on May 25 and the proposals will be opened after July 4, the last date for submitting proposals.
Responsibilities of the consultant include integrated projectisation, carrying out surveys and studies, review of land availability, rehabilitation - resettlement and environmental issues, coordinating with stakeholders, bid process management for selection of contractors and ensuring technology standards and guidelines. It was the second director board meeting which decided to float the RFP for appointment of management consultant.
Meanwhile, the City Corporation councillors have recently asked Mayor Soumini Jain to provide details of the Smart City programme. Opposition leader in the council K.J Antony alleged that despite being a major stakeholder, the civic administration was kept in the dark on the implementation of the Smart City.
Though the State government has received the first installment of Central funds to the tune of '200 crore, it is yet to be transferred to the CSML. Meanwhile, Mayor Soumini Jain told DC that a HR agency had to be initially identified for recruitment of staff for the CSML. "Tenders can be floated only after appointment of a full time CEO and transferring of funds to the CSML. Project proposals will have to be finalised only after appointment of staff," she said.
Other cities selected for the Smart City programme like Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Kakinada, Bhagalpur and Pune have already invited tenders for area-based development projects and other services and are far ahead in project implementation.
