The Kerala government has issued a legal notice to Dubai-based TECOM Group, signalling a decisive move to reclaim control of the Kochi Smart City project after years of delays and underperformance. The action follows a state cabinet decision to initiate the takeover of the flagship IT and urban development project, citing failure to meet agreed timelines and milestones.
Kochi Smart City was conceived as a joint venture with TECOM to create a world-class technology and business hub. However, prolonged stagnation and limited on-ground progress led the government to invoke legal and contractual provisions to protect public interest and unlock the project’s potential.
With the legal notice, the state has formally communicated its intent to terminate TECOM’s role and assume direct control of planning, implementation and future expansion. Officials said the move will ensure administrative clarity, faster approvals and stricter monitoring of execution.
The government expects the takeover to restore investor confidence, accelerate infrastructure development and align Kochi Smart City more closely with Kerala’s broader IT and urban growth strategy. Once control shifts to the state, the project is projected to regain momentum as a major engine for employment, technology investment and economic growth in the region.
