Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said here on Thursday that the dream projects of Kerala were on course.
Talking to the media after a special meeting of the Cabinet, the Chief Minister said the first phase of the SmartCity would be ready in 18 months from now. A pavilion built at the site would be inaugurated and the foundation stone for the first building would be laid on June 9. Mr. Chandy noted that the Kochi Metro Project had been cleared by both the Planning Commission and Union Cabinet committee. Preliminary works had commenced six months ago.
The Cochin International Airport Limited had prepared the detailed project report for the Kannur airport within the stipulated three months. The work would commence this year itself.
Vizhinjam project
He said that norms specified by the Central Vigilance Commission were being followed for award of the tender for the Vizhinjam International Transhipment Terminal as only one approved tender was there for consideration. However, there was enough time for calling fresh tenders as the environmental impact study would take 18 months to complete. The basic infrastructure for the project was under consideration.
Mr. Chandy said some delay had occurred regarding the Palakkad coach factory after laying the foundation stone on account of the change of the Railway Minister. The coach factory as well as the wagon factory at Cherthala would be realised.
