Kochi, (IANS) Holiday Group, one of the joint developers of SmartCity Kochi, on Wednesday began construction of its 14.37 lakh square feet IT tower that will have offer office spaces for the IT/ITES sector along with supporting retail establishments that offer a wholesome working environment for employees at the Smart City.

Spread over 6.27 acres, the new building will have twin towers each comprising 10 storeys.

The much-delayed Smart City project was inaugurated with a 6.5 lakh square feet building in February.

Baju George, interim CEO of SmartCity Kochi, said the project was in full throttle now to meet the 2020 deadline for its completion.

“SmartCity is on track for changing the business and social landscape of Kochi. With the promise of delivering world-class IT and social infrastructure to multi-national companies, SmartCity Kochi is getting closer to its grand vision of setting up a world-class ecosystem that provides for quality working and living,” said George.

Singapore-based MariApps, which offers state-of-the-art maritime enterprise solutions for the marine industry in Europe and Southeast Asia, among other locations, will be the first company to be operational from SmartCity Kochi on May 20.

Another Singapore-based company, Singnet Solutions, will open office in the first week of June.

Singnet Solutions chairman M.K. Anes said the company was looking up to its India entry at SmartCity Kochi as it hopes to spread to the Middle East and beyond.