First phase of SmartCity inaugurated

trivandrum — Kerala’s commercial hub of Cochin turned smart even before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pet project to develop 100 cities across India as smart cities taking off the ground with Dubai-based TECOM throwing open the first phase of its SmartCity project for business.

The first phase of the dream project developed in partnership with state government was dedicated to nation jointly by Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Future, and Chief Minister Oommen Chandy at a colourful function at Cochin on Saturday.

Federal Minister for Skill Development, Rajiv Pratap Rudy; Minister for Information Technology and Industries P K Kunhalikutty; Ahmad bin Byat, Vice-Chairman and managing director of Dubai Holding; chief secretary Jiji Thomson; Gulf-based businessman M.A Yusuf Ali and GEMS group chairman Sunny Varkey were among dignitaries present on the occasion. Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan boycotted the event alleging that the project was inaugurated in a haste to provide political benefits to the Congress-led ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) in the coming assembly polls. Workers of Communist Party of India (Marxist)led opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) staged a protest outside the venue alleging that the project was being converted into a real estate business.

Speaking on the occasion, the UAE minister said that the technology project will help Kerala achieve excellence in the field of health and education. With this Kerala will become a global knowledge hub, he added.

The chief minister said that the project will pave way for Keralites to find job in their own state. He termed the inauguration of the first phase SmartCity Kochi as a proud moment in the history of the state. It will see the world coming to the state.