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{{short description|IT based special zone in Kochi city}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2015}}
{{Infobox company
| name = '''SmartCity, Kochi'''
| logo = SmartCity Kochi Logo.JPG
| logo_size = 150px
| type =
| genre = Infrastructure Service Provider
| foundation = 
| founder =
| location_city = [[Kochi, India|Kerala]]
| location_country = [[India]]
| location = [[Kochi]]
| origins =
| key_people = Manoj Nair, CEO
| area_served =
| industry = [[Information Technology]] [[Business Park]]
| products =
| services =
| revenue =
| operating_income =
| net_income =
| num_employees = 5,000
| parent =
| divisions =
| subsid =
| owner = 16% [[Government of Kerala]], 84% [[Dubai Holding]]
| company_slogan =
| homepage = [http://www.smartcity-kochi.in www.smartcity-kochi.in]
| dissolved =
| footnotes =
}}

'''SmartCity Kochi''' is an [[information technology]] [[special economic zone]] in [[Kochi]], [[Kerala]], [[India]].<ref name="kerala">[https://web.archive.org/web/20101126015912/http://kerala.gov.in/smartcity_final.pdf FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT]. kerala.gov.in (2007-05-13).</ref><ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/article1149158.ece Agreement reached on SmartCity project]. Thehindu.com (2011-02-02). Retrieved on 2012-09-12.</ref> A joint venture company named Smart City (Kochi) Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. was formed by [[Government of Kerala]] (16% holding) and [[Dubai Holding]] (84% holding) to implement the project.<ref>[http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/international/141280-kerala-tecom-end-uncertainty-over-smartcity-kochi.html Kerala, Tecom end uncertainty over SmartCity Kochi]. Thepeninsulaqatar.com (2011-02-03). Retrieved on 2012-09-12.</ref> The project is spread over an area of {{convert|246|acre|ha|1}} and envisions a minimum 8.8 million sq ft of built up space out of which at least 6.21 million sq ft will be specifically for IT/ITES/allied services.<ref name="kerala" /> The project is expected to create over 90,000 direct jobs.<ref name="kerala" /><ref>[http://www.rediff.com/money/2004/nov/23smart.htm Smart City @ Kochi: 100,000 jobs likely]. Rediff.com (2004-11-23). Retrieved on 2012-09-12.</ref>

The Phase 1 of the project, consisting of a 6,50,000 sq. ft. IT tower named SCK-01 and associated infrastructure, was inaugurated on 20 February 2016, by the then [[Chief Minister of Kerala]], [[Oommen Chandy]].<ref name="SmartCity Kochi inaugurated">{{cite news| url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/smartcity-kochi-inaugurated/article8264427.ece | work=The Hindu | title=SmartCity Kochi inaugurated | access-date=5 November 2017}}</ref> SmartCity Kochi is one of the first two projects of [[Dubai Internet City|SmartCity's]] vision to build a large network of knowledge-based industry townships across the world. Other being [[SmartCity Malta]], whose first phase was inaugurated in October 2010.<ref>[http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20101010/local/smart-city.33076 SmartCity-Malta inauguration]. Timesofmalta.com (2006-12-06). Retrieved on 2012-09-12.</ref> As of 2021, SmartCity houses about 50 companies which includes [[Fortune 500]] corporations such as [[Baker Hughes]] and [[Ernst & Young]], employing close to 5,000 professionals.

== History ==
The project was originally initiated by P.K. Kunjalikkutty the IT Minister in the [[Third A. K. Antony ministry|UDF government]] in 2004. Later when [[Oommen Chandy]] was the Chief minister, the government invited the [[Dubai Internet City]] officials for a feasibility study and later the [[Memorandum of Understanding]] (MoU) was signed in year 2005. Due to protest from opposition parties who alleged that the agreement is not in the best interests of the state and due to upcoming state assembly election, the government could not go ahead with the project.

After [[V. S. Achuthanandan]] took over as the chief minister, he invited the [[Dubai Internet City]] team for another round of discussions. He proposed new suggestions and altered the earlier MoU signed by the [[Oommen Chandy]] government. On 13 May 2007, the officials of the Government of Kerala and [[TECOM Group | TECOM]] Investments signed the updated framework agreement.<ref>[http://gulfnews.com/business/sectors/investment/tecom-kerala-sign-lease-deal-for-smartcity-1.771908 Government of Kerala, TECOM sign lease deal for ‘SmartCity Kochi’]. GulfNews.</ref><ref>[http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/business/2005/September/business_September217.xml&section=business MoU for Smart City inked]. Khaleejtimes.com (2005-09-10). Retrieved on 2012-09-12.</ref> Then for the next four years, the project was in a standstill mode due to few unresolved differences between state government and TECOM. The main hurdle was TECOM's demand for selling rights on the 12% free-hold land. Government was ready to give the 12% free-hold land only inside the SEZ, which made it impossible for TECOM to sell that portion to a third party under the [[SEZ]] policy by the [[Government of India]].

These issues were resolved on 2 February 2011, in a meeting between Chief Minister V. S. Achuthanandan and His Excellency [[Ahmad Al Tayer|Ahamed Humaid Al Tayer]], member of the Supreme Fiscal Committee for Dubai World Group and [[Dubai Holding]] Group, UAE. This breakthrough was arrived as a result of the mediation by the Vice Chairman of [[Norka-Roots]] and a renowned businessman from the state [[M. A. Yousuf Ali]].<ref>[http://www.indiavision.com/news/article/business/152642/ Decks cleared for Kochi infotech project]. Indiavision.com (2011-02-02). Retrieved on 2012-09-12.</ref>

== Progress of the project ==
[[File:Smartcity Kochi.jpg|thumb|right|220px|The inaugural IT building SCK-01 in Phase 1]]
After the breakthrough on the disputes in February 2011, the project has gained momentum and is in the construction stages now. Construction of SmartCity was launched by the Chief Minister Mr. Oommen Chandy on 8 October 2011 in a glittering event held at site. The ''SmartCity Experience Pavilion'', which locates the offices for the administrative and project management team, was launched on 9 June 2012. The Phase I of the project was inaugurated on 20 February 2016, by the then [[Chief Minister of Kerala]], [[Oommen Chandy]].<ref name="SmartCity Kochi inaugurated"/>

Ministry of Commerce have granted a single SEZ status for entire 246 acres of land in December 2011. There were few issues in getting a single SEZ status as the land is separated by a waterbody. Approval for the project as a single SEZ was important to avail the benefits of a multi-purpose SEZ.<ref>[http://sezindia.gov.in/writereaddata/updates/BOA_49th_minutes.pdf Single SEZ status for Smartcity]. (PDF) . Retrieved on 2012-09-12.</ref>

The first phase which started operations in May 2016, involves a four storied building with 6,50,000 sq. ft. space, which is one of India's largest LEED Platinum rated IT buildings.

The second phase, which includes development in excess of 6 million sq. ft., is currently in progress and expected to be completed by 2021. The development is carried out with the support of various co-developers who have signed agreements with SmartCity Kochi. Sands Infra, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi-based [[LuLu Group International|LuLu Group]], is constructing 32-storied twin towers which are slated to become India's tallest IT towers. The development encompasses 3.7 million sq.ft of built up area with the potential to generate jobs in excess of 30,000 when fully occupied. Further developments include the construction of 1.2 million sq.ft of built-up space across the two towers by Bangalore-based [[Prestige Group]], 1.5 million sq.ft by Dubai-based Holiday Group, 4,00,000 sq. ft. by Maratt Ltd and a modern school with the capacity to accommodate over 3000 students by Dubai-based [[GEMS Education]], world's largest private provider of K-12 education. Phases three, four and five are also under discussion as the potential investors are planning to build ready-to-move-in residential plots with an estimated amount of Rs.4000 crore.<ref>Activating infrastructure. [https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/finance/smartcity-kochi-draws-up-plan-to-raise-rs-4000-crore/articleshow/69545162.cms?from=mdr "Smart City Kochi"], "[[The Economic Times]]"</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center"
|+Buildings in SmartCity
|-
!style="background: #ffdead;" |Building!!style="background: #ffdead;" |Phase !!style="background: #ffdead;" |Available Size!!style="background: #ffdead;" |Year of commission
|-
!colspan=4 |Operational
|-
|SCK-01||1 ||{{convert|650000|sqft|m2|-2|abbr=on}}||2016
|-
|[[GEMS Education|GEMS]] Modern Academy||2 || {{convert|200000|sqft|m2|-2|abbr=on}}||2019
|-
|[https://www.mariapps.com MariApps]||1 || {{convert|120000|sqft|m2|-2|abbr=on}}||2021
|-
!colspan=4 | Under Construction
|-
|Sands Infinite||1 || {{convert|3700000|sqft|m2|-2|abbr=on}}||2022
|-
|[[Prestige Group|Prestige]] Cyber Green-1 ||1 || {{convert|1200000|sqft|m2|-2|abbr=on}}||2022
|-
|Maratt IT Tower||1 || {{convert|360000|sqft|m2|-2|abbr=on}}||2022
|-
!colspan=4 | Under Planning
|-
|Holiday Group IT Tower ||1 || {{convert|1470000|sqft|m2|-2|abbr=on}}||2023
|}

== Agreement ==

According to the agreement signed by the Government of Kerala and Tecom investments, the project expects an investment of {{INR}}2000 Crore. The project would be spread over {{convert|246|acre|ha|1}}. On completion, SmartCity Kochi would be one of the largest [[Information Technology|IT]] parks in the country. The project is expected to have minimum {{convert|8800000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} of built up space with a minimum of {{convert|6200000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} set aside for IT/ITES/allied services. It was to be the first SmartCity project in India and second in the world by the Tecom Investments group.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080317062629/http://www.kerala.gov.in/news_07/14april_07.htm Smart City Project: Agreement signed]. kerala.gov.in (2007-04-14).</ref>

==Location and connectivity==

SmartCity Kochi is located approximately 12 kilometres (7 mi) from downtown Kochi and 22 kilometres (14 mi) from the [[Cochin International Airport]]. It is located in [[Kakkanad]], which is the [[Ernakulam district]] headquarters. The project site is located adjacent to [[InfoPark, Kochi]], one of the state owned IT parks in Kerala. The presence of [[InfoPark, Kochi|InfoPark]], SmartCity, [[Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation|KINFRA Park]], etc., makes the region of Kakkanad a very important center for IT/ITES in the state of Kerala.

PeakAir Pvt Ltd handles a major portion of the data traffic inside SmartCity and has a Data Center inside SmartCity, which provides the park with 100% uptime data connectivity. Other major bandwidth providers such as [[Vodafone]], [[Tata Communications]], [[BSNL]], [[Reliance Communications|Reliance]], [[Bharti Airtel]] and [[Power Grid Corporation of India]] are also present in the park.

==See also==
*[[Dubai Internet City]]
*[[SmartCity (Malta)|SmartCity, Malta]]
*[[Infopark, Kochi]]
*[[Electronics City, Kochi]]
*[[Cyber City, Kochi]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|35em}}

==External links==
* [https://dubaiholding.com/ Dubai Holding official website]
* [http://www.smartcity.ae/ Dubai SmartCity official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026075601/http://www.smartcity.ae/ |date=26 October 2007 }}

{{Coord|10.008|76.371|display=title}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Smartcity, Kochi}}
[[Category:Software technology parks in India]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Kochi]]
[[Category:Economy of Kochi]]
[[Category:Special Economic Zones of India]]
[[Category:Smart cities in India]]

Smart City Kochi - Revision history

Amit raj: Made redirect