THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Implementation of the Smart City project is on track and the Thiruvananthapuram Smart City Limited, the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) through which the smart city project will be implemented, has been successfully registered. Ministry of Corporate Affairs approved the name and registration formalities were completed paving way for Central assistance to the tune of Rs 194 crore.
The 12 member board convened a meeting on Thursday, the very next day the SPV was registered, to approve agendas. As the meeting was chaired by the outgoing Chief Secretary Nalini Netto, she decided to keep the important agenda of approving the Request for Proposals (RfP) for a consultancy, for the next meeting so that the new chairman can take an informed decision. Corporation officials said the next agenda will be held within next two weeks. The name of the new Chief Secretary K M Abraham has to be included as the new chairman of the board.
The corporation plans to cut down the cost of the consultancy by outsourcing minor project works to agencies such as Kerala Water Authority. “We don’t have to make detailed project reports for minor projects. We can limit the role of consultancy and the money paid to them as consultation fees to some extent,” said the Corporation officials. The first tranche of money from Centre is for the first two years of project implementation. It will cover some of the expenses met by the corporation from its own fund for the registration of the company.
The city made it to the list of Smart Cities in the third round, paving way for better infrastructure development, in June. The capital city becomes the top scorer among 30 cities included. Subsequently state government appointed K Gopalakrishnan as the Chief Executive Officer of the Smart City project SPV on July 20. Corporation presented the final blueprint of Smart City proposal, that involves an expenditure of over Rs 1,500 crore. Area based development plans include improving basic urban services, effective utilisation of land, maintaining cultural heritage, eco-friendly initiatives and make the city inclusive in social and economic aspects. Pan city solutions involve using information and communication technology for municipal service and infrastructure.
An integrated centralised control room will be set up to integrate ICT solutions in smart water network, traffic and transportation, smart mosquito density system, safety and security, disaster management, solid waste management.