Sunday, Jul 07, 2013
Dubai: The first building to come up at Smart City Kochi will be constructed as per platinum-rated LEED certification, the best environmental standard in the world, Abdul Latif Al Mulla, CEO of SmartCity Dubai and chief business development officer at Dubai Holding, told Gulf News.
Tecom Investments, a subsidiary of Dubai Holding, is the main investor in the Kerala project.
He said the building has secured the green permit and construction will most likely start in August. It is expected to be completed in 18 months at a cost of around Rs1.70 billion (Dh103.47 million). The project is going as planned.
As per the agreement, the entire project needs to be completed within 10 years, but Al Mulla is confident of completing it in six years.
“We will be applying for the building permit within two weeks through the single window facility. The construction of the second building will start when the first one is completed,” Al Mulla said.
Al Mulla was in Kochi last week to unveil the design of the 6.5-lakh-square feet first building. It will be dedicated to IT and IT-related services.
The application for the first phase of Smart City Kochi has been presented by Baju George, MD of Smart City Kochi, and Gigo Joseph, CEO of Smart City.
“Members of the committee were very positive on the presentation, with some suggestions to improve the green credentials of the first building which the company accepted. The company is expecting formal approval within one or two weeks,” George said.
By Naushad K. ?Cherrayil Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
