Vallarpadam Terminal project.
Vallarpadam International Container Transhipment Terminal project.
Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan on Friday lashed out Union Shipping Minister T R Baalu for criticising the state government for not completing land acquisition work of rail-road connectivity of Vallarpadam International Container Transhipment Terminal project.
Baalu had recently shot off a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh referrring to the state government’s “lack of seriousness” in completing land acquisition procedures for the project, for which the Centre has committed about Rs 1200 crore. When the Chief Minister’s attention was drawn to Baalu’s comments by reporters, he said “Baalu is not a UPA minister but a minister who is always protecting the interests of Tamil Nadu and stood against Kerala’s interests.”
Dismissing the Shipping Minister’s observations, Achuthanandan said the state was committed to the project and land acquisition proceedings were going on.
The deadline for completing land acquisition proceedings had been extended several times by the state. The Shipping Secretary had held a review meeting on April 28 this year in which the government had promised to complete land acquisition procedures by May 30.
Baalu had also twice met the Chief Minister and requested him to expedite the proceedings for early completion of the project, the foundation stone for which was laid by the Prime Minister on February 16, 2005.
Cochin Port to invite fresh bids for capital dredging.
BL reported that Cochin Port Trust is likely to invite fresh tenders for capital dredging together with maintenance dredging at Vallarpadam International Container Transhipment Terminal at Kochi in Ernakulam district of Kerala.
The total dredging cost is estimated to be INR 485 crore and the dredging companies have to submit the tenders within one month. The dredging to be carried out is to the extent of approximately 24 million cubic meter and maintenance dredging of 16 million cubic meters in the next 2 years.
It may be noted that CPT was forced to cancel the tenders which were floated earlier in November 2007, as the price quoted by the international company was 70% higher than the estimated cost. Besides, the port did not get sufficient response for the tender as there was only one firm, which placed its bids for the work.
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