Kerala’s Kochi Corporation to audit Smart City assets as CSML winds up

The Kochi Corporation in Kerala is set to undertake a detailed stock-taking of assets procured under the Smart City project, as the special purpose vehicle (SPV), Cochin Smart Mission Limited (CSML), created for its implementation, prepares to wind up operations on completing its mandate.

Mayor V.K. Minimol has directed the superintendent engineer to submit a comprehensive report on the efficiency and utility of assets and projects created under the project, now being handed over to the Corporation, which will be largely responsible for their future operation and maintenance. The council is expected to hold an in-depth discussion on the matter once the report is tabled, with councillors, particularly from the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF), sharply critical of CSML’s functioning and procurement practices.

Originally conceived for infrastructure development and retrofitting in a limited number of Administrative Business District (ABD) divisions — one-and-a-half divisions in the city and five in West Kochi — the Smart City project was later expanded into a pan-city initiative. With the Centre’s approval, funds were channelled into projects beyond ABD divisions, including the improvement of parks, installation of streetlights, and the purchase of machines and vehicles such as compactors for waste management.

“Does Kochi look like it has received funding of more than ₹1,000 crore under the Smart City project? Deviations from the original plan were made without taking the Corporation into confidence,” Ms. Minimol remarked. She pointed out that CSML, chaired by the Chief Secretary, had only the Mayor representing the Corporation, despite the project being meant for the city. Taking a veiled swipe at former mayor M. Anilkumar, she wondered whether he had “remained silent while the city’s interests were sidelined.”

Mr. Anilkumar countered by recalling that the project commenced in 2015 when the UDF was in power both at the State and the Corporation. “The LDF was highly critical of the Corporation not having control over the SPV formed for implementing the project, whereas the UDF supported it at the time. The idea of restricting the project to ABD divisions was short-sighted. That is why it was expanded into a pan-city initiative during our tenure,” he said.

UDF councillor M.G. Aristotle argued that indiscriminate implementation has left the Corporation saddled with the operation and maintenance of assets that should have been managed by other agencies. “We are now liable for maintaining parks belonging to other agencies, PWD roads, and even signal lights. The Corporation is burdened with the upkeep of machines like silt pushers, weed cutters, and pothole fillers; equipment we never wanted in the first place,” he said.

Welfare Standing Committee chairperson Antony Painuthara accused CSML of flawed procurement at inflated rates. “For instance, suction-cum-jetting machines were purchased for ₹4 crore, when superior machines are available even now for as little as ₹1.5 crore,” he alleged.

Mr. Anilkumar maintained that respective agencies should be held accountable for assets created under their jurisdiction as part of the Smart City project, and that the Corporation need not shoulder that burden. He dismissed UDF’s charge that projects and assets created under CSML failed to benefit the Corporation.

“For example, the facelift given to Changampuzha Park under CSML benefitted the entire Edappally region, though the park is owned by the Greater Cochin Development Authority. Similarly, it was the UDF MP and MLA who insisted on renovating the KSRTC stand using CSML funds. Would that have added to the Corporation’s assets? The Maradu water treatment plant was set up under JNNURM, which preceded Smart City, though it belongs to the Kerala Water Authority,” he pointed out.

BJP councillor Priya Prashanth argued that the Corporation would not have been burdened with the operation and maintenance costs of CSML assets had it consistently paid the Urban Local Body (ULB) share. The Corporation has only paid part of the ULB share of ₹90 crore, which CSML has now offset against the operation and maintenance of assets. She also pressed for the inclusion of CSML’s state-of-the-art digital office, equipped with the Integrated Command, Control & Communication Centre (IC4) set up at a cost of ₹10 crore, into the Corporation’s assets.

Ms. Minimol, however, noted that the rented space housing the IC4 will have to be returned to Kochi Metro Rail Limited after two years. The system requires upgrading, which would entail considerable expense. The police have also observed that the cameras installed as part of the system are of substandard quality, and in their view, replacing the existing system would be more prudent than updating it.

LDF parliamentary party leader V.A. Sreejith said that while shortcomings in CSML projects should be discussed and addressed, it should not be completely dismissed oblivious of the fact that it has complemented the city’s development.