Land acquisition for Vizhinjam harbour project to start soon

A day after getting nod from the Defence Ministry for the Vizhinjam International Container Transshipment project near here, Kerala Cabinet on August 06, 2008 decided to start the land acquisition needed for its basic infrastructure soon.

It had been estimated that 1,088 hectares would be required for rail-road connectivity and construction of warehousing facilities, Chief Minister Shri V S Achuthanandan told after the cabinet meeting.

The cabinet decided to acquire the needed land and the process would start soon, he said adding the project should also get the clearance of Union Home Ministry.

The project was denied security clearance in 2006 by the Centre because the consortium to which it was then awarded included two Chinese companies, he said.

Later, the State Government floated global re-tenders and selected the Hyderabad-based consortium Lanco Kondapally Power Ltd to execute the project, expected to attract an investment of Rs 5,348 crore.

The over Rs 5,300 crore project is to be implemented on BOT basis and when completed would generate 5,000 direct and 1.50 lakh indirect employment opportunities.

It would not only boost the economic development of the State but also of the whole nation as Vizhijam Harbour, located 16 kms south of the state capital thiruvananthapuram, is a natural port where giant ships could berth without any problem, Chief Minister said.

The first phase of the project is planned to be completed within three years on starting the work.

State Farm Awards announced

The Kerala State Farm awards were announced on August 08, 2008. Johny George, belonging to Vannappuram in Idukki District, has bagged the State Government's `Karshakothama' award for the best farmer in 2006-07.

The award carries a cash prize of Rs. One lakh, gold medal and citation, Agriculture Minister Shri. Mullakkara Rathnakaran told after announcing the agricultural awards.

The `Nelkathir' award for best paddy cultivation would be presented to Anthikad paddy field committee based in Thrissur District. The award carries a cash prize of Rs. Two lakh, gold medal and citation.

`Udyanasreshta' award for best florist was won by Sabira Mohammed Moosa of Thrissur. `Harita Mitra' award for best horticulturist went to Siddique N. Nalakath of Nilambur in Malappuram district. Both awards carry a cash prize of Rs One lakh, gold medal and citation.

Other awardees are: K R Chandran (Karshakajyothi/best farmer of SC/ST sections), K V Madhavi (Karshaka Thilakam/best woman farmer), T P Ramesan (Ksheeradhara/best dairy farmer), M C Mohammed (Poultry award), P G Krishnakumar (Karshakamitra/ introducing modern modes of farming to farmers).

Vizhinjam harbour project gets defence clearance

The Defence Ministry has accorded the long-awaited security clearance for development of Vizhinjam International Container Transhipment project near Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala.

The Project was denied security clearance in 2006 by the Centre because the consortium to which it was then awarded included two Chinese companies. Later, the State Government floated global re-tenders for the project and Lanco Kondpally was shortlisted.

Conceived long back as a major port of South India, the execution of the Rs 5,348 crore project was awarded to Hyderabad-based consortium Lanco Kondapally.

According to the office of the Minister for Ports Shri M Vijayakumar, the No Objection Certificate from the Defence Ministry for the project was received on August 05, 2008.

The project is to be implemented on BOT basis with an anticipated investment of Rs 5,348 crore and when completed would generate 5,000 direct and 1.50 lakh indirect employment opportunities.

The first phase of the project is planned to be completed within three years on starting the work. The state share in the project would be 24 per cent and BOT period would be 30 years, official sources said.