Date:27/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/27/stories/2008082754430400.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Corporation to oversee port works

Special Correspondent

Thiruvananthapuram: Minister for Ports M. Vijayakumar has said the proposed Kerala Maritime Development Corporation will be entrusted with the task of overseeing the development of ports in the State.

In an article released here for publication, the Minister said the corporation had been structured on the lines of Maritime Corporations functioning in other States.

Terming the Vizhinjam Container Transhipment Terminal project as a flagship venture, Mr. Vijayakumar said the State government had started efforts to boost the industrial development of the hinterland.

The Cabinet had already taken a decision to acquire 1,088 hectares of land on a fast-track basis as per the preliminary recommendations of KITCO, a public sector consultancy organisation.

Listing out plans to develop the Kollam, Azheekal, Beypore, Ponnani and Alappuzha ports, Mr. Vijayakumar said the government was processing the global tenders for the development of the Kollam port.

The technical capabilities of four bidders were being examined and a decision would be taken soon on the tenders, he said.

The Azheekal port had been included in the Central government’s maritime development programme.

The Rs.1400-crore project would expedite the development of Kannur district.