Vallarpadam project to be over on time

The multi-crore International Transshipment Terminal project at Vallarpadam in Kerala will be operational as per schedule in 2009, Shipping and Transport Minister T R Baalu said today. He said the Cochin Shipyard had the potential to be developed to international standards, but there was paucity of land for its expansion.

Replying to a spate of questions relating to his ministry in the Lok Sabha, he said the Cochin Shipyard had the potential to be developed to international standards, but there was paucity of land for its expansion.

Baalu said there was a proposal to set up international size shipyards, one each on the East Coast and West Coast.

The maritime states had been requested by his ministry to identify suitable location for the project. The basic requirements included availability of 1000-1500 acres with 2.5 km long water front, water draft of 10 to 12 metres, good rail and road connectivity and contiguity to a major port situated within the state.

He said Karnataka has suggested Tadri and Honne beaches, Kerala-Poovar in Thiruvananthapuram district, Orissa-Nuagarh, Palur, Gopalpur and Bahuda Muhana ports, Andhra Pradesh -Vodarevu. West Bengal had not proposed any specific site so far, while Gujarat has proposed a few stretches such as Salaya, Jodiya, Mundra, Chanch and Pipavav and Tuna.

Baalu said Ennore Port and Mumbai Port Trust had been appointed as nodal agencies for the project and were authorised to appoint consultants to identify three to four alternative sites each for setting up of shipyard on the West Coast and the East Coast and also suggest optimal locations with detailed justification.

The process for appointment of consultants had been initiated by the nodal agencies.

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