KOCHI: With the tenure of the Cochin Smart Mission Limited (CSML) having ended this year, Kochi corporation is set to discuss an alternative implementation mechanism for the ‘Complete Smart City’ project proposed in the 2026-27 budget. The govt had allocated Rs 20 crore for the preparation of the project document and the initial activities.
“The CSML was a special purpose vehicle (SPV) constituted for the implementation of several development projects in the city. With the tenure ending, the projects have been handed over to Kochi corporation. The council will discuss an alternative to carry out the projects, including the maintenance of roads, streetlights, parks, etc.,” said M G Aristottil, a member of the corporation’s finance standing committee.
The council will take up the matter in its meeting scheduled for Monday. “The issue of adopting an alternative mechanism suitable to the current situation for the effective implementation of the ‘Complete Smart City’ project announced in the budget is brought to the notice of the council for its information and consideration,” stated the agenda.
It has also suggested designating Kochi corporation as the nodal agency for the implementation of the project, establishing a separate project management unit (PMU). This will include experts in the fields of urban planning, engineering, finance, and information technology, with the assistance of KITCO, KILA, Kerala State IT Mission, or similar government technical agencies for the preparation of a detailed project report (DPR) and in other technical matters. Besides, a steering committee is suggested to be formed with the mayor as chairperson and the secretary as convener to oversee and coordinate the project.
Henry Austin, councillor of the Vaduthala East division, said the CSML will continue to function to carry out the ongoing projects.
“For several projects, the operations and maintenance agreement is between the CSML and the specific companies. When new projects are taken up, we may require a new implementation agency,” he said.
The 2026-27 budget had proposed: “In accordance with the development vision and project implementation methods of the Smart City project, the work of transforming Kochi into a complete Smart City will be started by expanding the development activities to more divisions in a phased manner.”
According to the proposal, the project will be implemented by finding new ways to mobilise resources by fully utilising CSML, with the CSML CEO and the corporation secretary tasked with preparing a comprehensive project document.