A special initiative to create a sense of stakeholdership and ownership aimed at re-capturing the initial euphoria over the inclusion of the city in the Centre’s Smart Cities’ Mission project will kick-start soon.
The selection of the project management consultant is in the final stages, and the preparation of detailed project reports (DPRs) will be shifted to top gear soon. The move comes after the commercial capital of the State failed to sustain the momentum generated after it earned the fifth position among the top 20 cities shortlisted across the country by the Union Ministry of Urban Development.
“We need to revive that stakeholdership and the euphoria that came after the city was selected under the mission project. Broad-based discussions involving the general public, professionals and the participating agencies will be initiated as part of speeding up the implementation of various projects,” said A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish who was appointed by the government as the Chief Executive Officer of Cochin Smart Mission Ltd., a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to implement the smart city project in Kochi.
Stating that DPRs would be finalised with the appointment of the project management consultant, Mr. Hanish said that the office and the staff for the special purpose vehicle would also be ready without delay. “The consultant needs to fast-track the implementation of projects. We plan to hold consultations with the Kochi Corporation and the Greater Cochin Development Authority to revive the momentum,” he said.
The consultant will ensure the end-to-end support for project execution. Cochin Smart Mission Ltd. has to approve the projects, and forward them to the Ministry of Urban Development for approval. Confusion related to the powers of the SPV has also been cleared. It will ensure operational independence in decision making and mission implementation.
He said the Centre had sanctioned about ₹196 crore as first instalment under the Smart Cities Mission proposal. The government has provided a matching share towards the project. The amount has been transferred electronically to the bank account of the SPV. A general manager was also appointed at the temporary space offered to the SPV at the office of Kochi Metro Rail Ltd. Cochin Smart Mission Ltd. would soon shift to a new office, he said.
