SmartCity Kochi gets environmental nod

SmartCity Kochi, Kerala's ambitious information technology business township project, has received environmental clearance for the entire project covering 246 acres even as the construction of its first IT building is nearing completion.
"For the first IT building-SCK01, we had received the environmental clearance in July 2013 and later we applied for the rest of the project, which has been cleared now," Gigo Joseph, CEO, SCK said in a release.
The 6.5 lakh square feet building is fast nearing completion.
SCK will develop no less than 8.8 million sq. Ft. Of built-up area with substantial extent of land area being left for greenery and open spaces, to house Information and Communication Technology, Media, Finance and Research & Innovation clusters, attracting companies from within India and from abroad, the release said.

The environmental clearance was given at a meeting of State Environment Impact Assessment Authority Kerala (SEIAA-K) of the Ministry of Environment and Forests followed by the State Expert Appraisal Committee's (SEAC) recommendations.
While considering the application, SEAC appreciated SmartCity's effort in presenting a clear cut master plan of the project.

"Now, as the decks have been cleared for the entire project, we are looking forward to speed up the construction activities of own, joint and infrastructural developments."
"Of own developments, construction of SCK01's seven-story structure is in an advanced stage of completion and as announced in the Director's Board meeting held in Abu Dhabi, the building is expected to be inaugurated in March 2015," Gigo Joseph said.

Once complete, the building is aimed to be one of the largest LEED Platinum-rated IT buildings in India, as well as all of the forthcoming structures coming up here are being developed as environment friendly, the release said.
SCK has also entered into agreements for joint developments with leading IT, hospitality, realty and education companies, to make the hub coming up here an integrated township with facilities for stay, work and play.
"Approvals and designs of such joint developments are at various stages now while a couple of them are already on the verge of starting construction," Gigo Joseph added.