The controversy regarding the sale of ‘HMT land’ at Kalamassery is snowballing into a major issue with Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan entering the fray. Speaking to mediapersons at Aluva, V S Achuthanandan said that the move made by HDIL is not in the interest of public good. “If necessary, the issue will be fought legally”, he said. HDIL had on Wednesday advertised that 70 acres of land at Kalamassery is available for sale/joint venture. The advertisement had attracted censure. The major point raised by the critics was that HDIL was violating the initial assurance given to the court that the land will be used only for setting up industrial unions. Trade unions and youth organisations also alleged that the HDIL had real estate interests.
When contacted, K V John, CEO, claimed that the “advertisement was misinterpreted”. “ The advertisement was prepared by one of our internal departments. I had not seen the draft of the advertisement, as I was out of the country. In fact we never had plans to sell the land. Our idea was to invite partners for developing the project. We were inviting interests in joint ventures”.
John added that the strategy of HDIL was to develop the land with the help of some investors. “We will be the principal developer. We were trying to collaborate with interested parties to make the cyber city fruitful”, he said.