Date:12/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/12/stories/2006111209440400.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Progress of LNG project reviewed

Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: T.K.A. Nair, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, reviewed the progress of the LNG Project and the International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) Project being implemented at the port-based Special Economic Zone at Vallarpadam and Puthuvypeen island in the office of the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation on Saturday. P. Dasgupta, MD and CEP, Petronet LNG Limited, apprised him of the progress of the project being implemented in Kochi in detail. He stated that major contracts for construction of the terminal and purchase and sale of LNG would be frozen before December 31 and the contracts would be executed by March 31. The source of supply of LNG and all commercial terms had been finalised.

Regarding the ICTT, representatives of the Cochin Port Trust, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited and the Ministry of Railways and the National Highway Authorities were present. The members indicated that the work relating to rail and road connectivity was progressing as per schedule.

N. Ramachandran, Chairman, Cochin Port Trust; P. H. Kurian, Secretary, Industries, and MD, KSIDC; G.C. Gopala Pollai, CMD, FACT; D.C. Mitra, MD, RVNL; and A. V. Sinha, member, National Highway Authority of India; were present along with other senior officials.