Post-smart city era: dispute erupts over upkeep of CSML projects

The footpath renovated by CSML on Banerjee Road has remained in disrepair for some time.

The future maintenance of projects executed under Cochin Smart Mission Limited (CSML) has become a bone of contention, with the Kochi Corporation and CSML adopting divergent stances on the issue.

Around 60 projects were executed by CSML between 2018 and 2025. The Smart Mission project period expired in December 2025, following which the projects had to be handed over to the agencies concerned for operation and maintenance after the defect liability period, during which the respective contractors would remain liable for any defects.

Mayor V.K. Minimol claimed that the Corporation had been burdened with the maintenance of CSML projects that fall under the jurisdiction of other agencies. She cited the case of traffic lights installed by CSML, whose maintenance, she pointed out, was the responsibility of the traffic police. “This has become a major headache. We keep writing to the agencies concerned whenever we receive complaints regarding the maintenance of CSML projects that are supposed to be maintained by them,” she said. The Mayor and the United Democratic Front (UDF) councillors have also raised the issue repeatedly during council meetings.

Apart from the Corporation, CSML has executed projects for several other agencies, including the Greater Cochin Development Authority, Kerala Water Authority, Public Works department, Kerala State Electricity Board Limited, and the police.

CSML sources dismissed the Mayor’s allegations, maintaining that the operation and maintenance of projects remain the responsibility of the agencies concerned. “It is not clear under what circumstances the Mayor made such a statement. CSML has no assets of its own and functioned merely as an implementing agency. Therefore, the projects were handed over to the respective agencies after implementation,” sources said.

V.A. Sreejith, Left Democratic Front parliamentary party leader, accused the UDF-led council of promoting a narrative that portrays CSML projects as a burden on the civic body. “CSML is not some foreign agency. It helped create assets through contributions from the Centre, the State and the civic body. Notwithstanding the allegations, the UDF has not raised such issues in writing or brought such an agenda before the council,” he said.