Irregularities charges won't affect Kochi Smart City project, says promoter

Kochi: The Dubai-based promoter of SmartCity Kochi Wednesday said the charges on irregularities during the period of the previous management would in no way affect the prestigious project and the scheduled announcement to inaugurate its first phase in December 2015.

Days after reports of financial irregularities on the construction of the first IT building surfaced, the promoter SmartCity Dubai said that the auditing which is progressing is a routine job. Once it is completed, the report will be submitted to the board of directors' consideration.

There were allegations that sub-standard iron bars were used for the construction of the building.

Jaber Bin Hafez, Vice Chairman-SmartCity, expressed full satisfaction on progress of the project and said that the Kerala government has been extending full cooperation in making the project a reality.

He also said the second phase will be launched during the inauguration of the first phase, as announced earlier.

Hafez termed as "baseless" the media reports that the launch of construction of the second phase would be delayed as SmartCity HQ has not given clearance for the same.

"Even the Union government has given clearance to the second phase, including that of the co-developers' projects with a built-up area of 47 lakh sq ft. The second phase will be completed as per the prescribed time of 36 months," he said in a release here.

The Vice Chairman said nothing would deter SmartCity HQ from fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Kerala and would complete the project on time.

He made it clear that there would not be any compromise on the work or materials used for the project.

The present CEO Baju George has been stationed in Kochi to monitor the work on a day-to-day basis, he added.