Thiruvananthapuram May 27 The work on the basic infrastructure for the proposed international container transhipment terminal at Vizhinjam, near here, will commence soon.

Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd, formed by the State Government to oversee the implementation of the terminal, will take up the work of providing rail and road connectivity, water supply and electricity for the project, according to the State Minister for Ports, Mr M. Vijayakumar.

He said that 23 firms, including 10 from abroad, participated in the investors meet held here on April 17 this year prior to the floating of a global tender for identifying a partner for the project.

Detailed report

Referring to the other port development projects in the State, the Minister said that the Centre had included Azhikkal port in the National Maritime Development Project. A consultant would be appointed to prepare a detailed project report to develop the port into a major one with private participation, he added.

The Government has already given administrative sanction to construct a 1,150-metre long breakwater at an outlay of Rs 15.76 crore. A total expenditure of Rs 19.70 crore had been incurred on the project till December 2006.

The Government has decided to cancel an agreement signed by the previous government with Eeco company for the construction of a marina-cum-cargo harbour at Alappuzha. A new project covering more areas at the site will be formulated, which will be implemented with private participation.

Cargo terminal

At Beypore, a modern terminal for the convenience of passengers from Lakshadweep has been opened. Besides, the Government has accorded sanction for constructing a cargo terminal at the port at a cost of Rs 1.25 crore.

The Minister said that measures had been initiated to establish a maritime institute in the State in view of the increasing employment opportunities in the maritime sector. Also, the defunct Kerala Maritime Development Corporation had been made operational and the necessary steps to effect a turnaround in the company's fortunes had been adopted, he said.

Source :Business Line