ALAPPUZHA: Efforts to revive the now defunct Alappuzha Port through a combination of tourism and marine commerce are making steady progress. The Port Department has prepared the terms of reference for the appointment of a consultant and the same is likely to be approved by the Cabinet soon.

Minister for Ports M. Vijayakumar, during a visit to the port here a month ago, had given the assurance that the Government would expedite the revival of the port as a marina-cum-tourism port.

The Port Department had accordingly prepared a detailed project report based on a report submitted earlier by L&T Ramboll and had also completed the procedures for the appointment of a consultant, Ports director Capt. S. Vijayan Pillai told The Hindu on Monday. "Once the consultant is appointed, we will call for tenders. If a party is keen on taking up only the tourism development part of it, they can submit it as a separate tender. If one is interested in handling the cargo terminal part, they can submit a separate tender for that. The consultant will study the tenders. We plan to implement the projects simultaneously," Capt. Pillai said.

The project, which is expected to cost Rs.800 crore, will be implemented on a public-private partnership mode on a build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis. The revival of the historic sea bridge at the port too will be part of the project, which will see the Tourism Department chipping in to make the premises a tourist destination. Work on revival of the sea bridge could begin before the marina port since funds to the tune of Rs.1 crore from the Tourism Department were already sanctioned, sources said. Another Rs.3.5 crore that had been kept aside from the tsunami rehabilitation funds for infrastructure development was also available.

The Harbour Engineering Department has prepared a proposal for the revival of the sea bridge, according to which the main girders, wooden planks and handrails, among others, will have to be replaced. The proposal suggests that the Pier Master's Cabin and flag mast, which too were in ruins, could be renovated, along with a plaza near the starting point of the Commercial Canal situated nearby. A marine museum, tourist lodging, children's play area, shopping centres and retail outlets in the five godowns near the port, which were presently closed, are also part of the proposal.

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