Kochi: The cities selected for the Rs 1,000-crore Smart City programme have already started implementing the projects identified under the initiative but Kochi Corporation is yet to complete even the preliminary steps. Kochi Metro Rail Limited managing director Elias George has been appointed as the full time CEO of the Cochin Smart Mission Limited (CSML) but the special purpose vehicle is yet to be fully functional as the state government has not reconstituted its board of directors nor has it initiated the process to recruit its staff.
Even the selection of the project management consultant (PMC) which will help to design, develop, manage and implement the Smart City programme has not been finalised. Though a request for proposal to select the PMC was issued in May, the agency is yet to be selected. Both the state government and the local body are not keen on finalising project proposals and start implementing them as per schedule, it has been alleged. The first installment of Central funds to the tune of Rs 200 crore received by the State government is yet to be transferred to the CSML.
The corporation has 50 per cent stake in the programme and can ask for more representation in the board but it seems the civic body is not keen on it,” said a top civic official. “As of now, only the mayor and the secretary are the board members.” Mayor Soumini Jain told DC that she discussed the matter in the steering committee meeting and the members were not in favour of having more members in the Board. “It is a fact that Kochi lags behind other cities in the implementation of the Smart City programme,” she said.
“The Assembly elections and shuffling of top bureaucrats after the new government was sworn in have delayed the planning of the programme. It is the Chief Secretary who should convene the board meeting.” The next board of directors meeting has been tentatively scheduled for October 4, the mayor said, adding that she was yet to get the agenda and other details. Despite being the major stakeholder, the civic administration has been kept in the dark on the implementation of the Smart City, allege council members.
