LoP urges Kerala govt to reconsider Smart City decision in letter

Thiruvananthapuram

The Congress-led UDF opposition has urged the Kerala government to reconsider its decision to end the Smart City Project in Kochi and compensate Dubai-based TECOM. The opposition claims that the move goes against the state's interests, especially since the contract includes clauses allowing the state to recover investments if the agreement is breached.

Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan sent a letter to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, raising concerns about real estate motives behind the government's decision. Satheesan argued that TECOM's violation of the contract meant no compensation should be paid. He questioned the government's decision to pay TECOM, describing it as mysterious.

Despite Vijayan's clarification that the payment was not compensation but a settlement of TECOM’s investment, the UDF continues to allege that the move is designed to benefit certain individuals by transferring valuable land to them.