The Kochi Corporation has commenced a comprehensive audit of assets developed under the Smart Cities Mission as Cochin Smart Mission Limited (CSML), the city’s Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), prepares to conclude its operations. The exercise is aimed at ensuring a seamless transfer of smart city infrastructure to the civic body, which will be responsible for the long-term operation and maintenance of these assets.
The audit will involve the physical verification and documentation of all infrastructure created under the Smart Cities Mission. Officials will prepare a detailed inventory of completed assets, assess their present condition, and identify any discrepancies before they are formally handed over by CSML. The initiative is expected to provide the corporation with a verified record of public infrastructure while ensuring greater transparency and accountability during the transition.
CSML has served as the implementing agency for Kochi’s Smart Cities Mission projects since the programme’s inception, overseeing the execution of initiatives aimed at improving urban infrastructure and public services. As the national Smart Cities Mission approaches its conclusion, SPVs established for project implementation are gradually winding up their operations, with urban local bodies assuming responsibility for completed projects and their maintenance.
According to the corporation, the audit is essential for creating a reliable asset register that will support future maintenance planning and financial management. By verifying the status and condition of each asset before the transfer, the civic body hopes to avoid operational challenges and ensure that infrastructure continues to function efficiently after the handover.
One of the first projects to be audited will be the city’s smart streetlighting network. The decision follows concerns over discrepancies in the reported number of installed smart streetlights. The corporation plans to conduct a detailed physical count to verify the actual number of lights on the ground and reconcile them with project records. The exercise is expected to improve transparency and ensure that all publicly funded assets are accurately documented before they come under the corporation’s control.
Beyond the asset transfer, Kochi Corporation is also exploring a new institutional framework to sustain future urban development initiatives. It is considering the establishment of a dedicated Project Management Unit (PMU) comprising experts in urban planning, engineering, finance, and information technology. The proposed PMU would support the planning and execution of upcoming projects under the corporation’s proposed “Complete Smart City” programme, ensuring continuity after the closure of CSML.
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In addition, the civic body has proposed forming a steering committee headed by the Mayor to oversee project implementation and coordinate future smart city initiatives. The committee is expected to provide strategic guidance and facilitate collaboration among various departments involved in urban development.
