HC quashes petitions against "Smart City" land acquisition

Kochi, July 26 (UNI) The Kerala High Court today dismissed a batch of writ petitions challenging the acquisition of land for the establishment of the ''Smart City'' IT park project at Kakkanad here.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice V K Bali and Justice P R Raman opined that establishment of the Smart City was a dream project of the state.

''No one would entertain any doubt that projects such as the IT park are bound to boost the financial position of the government and provide numerous job opportunities to the people,'' the bench said.

In the writ petition filed by M N Kochu Mohamed and other land owners the main contention raised was that the acquisition of land for the Smart City project of Dubai Internet City was not for public purpose.

As per the government order dated December 30, 2004, the Information Technology Department accorded sanction for registration of society INFOPARK Kerala. Land owners contended that the sanction of society was unconstitutional as the government cannot delegate power to a society.

UNI XR ARC RP KN1855