Ports minister Kadannapally Ramachandran (TV grab)Kannur: Raising Kerala's concerns over Center's nod for the seaport in Colachel in Tamil Nadu, Kerala ports minister Kadannapally Ramachandran on Wednesday asked why there is a need for another port close to the proposed Vizhinjam port. The Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose seaport project was earlier opposed by the Center citing the Kochi seaport, the minister said and added that the state's dissent will be conveyed to the centre.
The union cabinet had in principle given permission to build a seaport in Colachel posing a serious challenge to the Vizhinjam seaport project. The port will come up at Enayam near Colachel. Once completed the proposed Colachel port is likely to emerge as a major transshipment hub in the region. It is also hinted that a strong political pressure mounted by the Tamil Nadu had resulted in a decision in its favour.
The project is aimed at developing the port as a global transshipment hub. The total cost of the project is pegged at Rs 25,000 crore and its first phase is planned to be completed at the cost of Rs 6,575 crore. An investment of Rs 2,500 crore will be accepted from private companies towards establishing terminal berth, yard, installation of equipment, among other things in the first phase.
Union minister Ravisankar Prasad had earlier suggested that Colachel port will help importers in South India to avoid dependence on Colombo port in Sri Lanka.
The Rs 7,525 crore Vizhinjam project is being developed by the Gujarat-based Adani Group.
