Vallarpadamport, vallarpadam terminal, Smart city, kochi tourism

BACK WATERS OF ALAPPUZHA
Usually a 64 km drive from Cochin to Alappuzha in early January will be a exhausting experience. But scenic beauty of Kerala all along NH 47 highway is a mesmerizing .The drizzle that is a part of normal Kerala weather almost through out the year makes the journey even more charming . Alappuzha has a unique history as a port since16th century. Dalwa Raja Kesavadas said to have made significant contributions towards the development of this town .The Britsh nick named the place “Venice of the East “. It was during this period the town became center of tourist attraction .”Alappuzha” the term means”Land between sea and rivers joining the sea”.

Backwaters have always been a tourist attraction in Alappuzha .A one week stay in house boats may cost you dearly but once you are into it you appreciate the cost. Cool nights in the house boats is ideal for romance ,chat and enjoyment. Couples can have very pleasant and private time here. Looking into the darkness lighted by blue moonlit is a refreshing experience. A few may get some new insights about themselves but mostly everyone will have some thing to talk in this atmosphere. A cool breeze pampers you as the boat men take you for a tour of the lake. We can see houses on small islands and natives rowing small boats during day time.

Prime Minister Nehru came to see a snake boat race in Alapauzha and was so impressed that he sent Trophy for the race and since then this race is a major tourist attraction every year. Snake boats called Chundanvallams by natives are very prestigious possessions in here. People group under the banner of there own locality names, make teams and row these huge boats in during the race. The competition is so intense that this leads to many heart breaks after the event.

Back waters are the major asset God has given to this part the world .Besides tourism the natives have coconut and paddy cultivations as a major source of revenue.

VALLARPADAM NEWS
Vallarpadam may brave Sethusamudram threat
Tuesday September 7 2004: As Cochin Port Trust (CPT) is awaiting the letter of clearance from the Centre for the International Container Trans-shipment Terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadam, a new debate is raging on the possible impact on the former of the Shipping Ministry’s pet Sethusamudram project in Tamil Nadu.

PM to lay stone for Vallarpadam
Saturday August 28 2004: The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, has agreed to visit Kerala to will lay the foundation stone for the Vallarpadam container terminal project in Kochi.

Vallarpadam is an Onam gift from Centre: Antony Thursday August 26 2004: A.K.Antony has termed the decision of the Union Cabinet to give its nod for the Vallarpadam project as an ‘Onam gift’ to the people of the State by the Centre.

Dubai Port keen on developing Vallarpadam box terminal soon
Thursday August 19 2004: DUBAI Ports International (DPI) is keen to develop international container transhipment terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadam in Kochi and shift operations there within four years irrespective of whether it handles the threshold level of 4,00,000 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) for moving out of the Rajiv Gandhi Container Terminal (RGCT).

HC seeks explanation from the centre
Monday August 16 2004: The state High Court has sought explanation from the centre for the inordinate delay in implementation of the Vallarpadam Container Terminal Project.

When will Vallarpadam happen?
Thursday, Apr 03, 2003: OVER THE last few months there has been press releases, statements by various State and Union Government leaders and officials and a general thrust in public relations… . all leading to an impression that the Container Transhipment Terminal at Vallarpadam is not only a reality but the actual construction and commissioning is just round the corner.

SEZ in Vallarpadam will lure more investment
Tuesday, Nov 12, 2002: DECLARATION of the Vallarpadam and Puthuvypeen areas as special economic zones will reduce the cost of the proposed trans-shipment terminal by at least Rs 300 crore by way of exemption from Customs and Excise duties and income-tax, according to Mr Paul Antony, Development Commissioner (DC) of Cochin Special Economic Zone.

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.