Govt to invest Rs 12,000 cr for ports' development

Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 21: Kerala Sports and Youth Affairs Minister M Vijayakumar on Monday, July 21, told the State Assembly that the state government would invest Rs 12,000 crore in three years for the development of ports in the state.

Replying to questions by Mr T N Pratapan of Congress and others, Mr Vijayakumar, who also holds ports portfile said it would be a joint venture with private investors and a 'Maritime Board' would be constituted for the comprehensive development of ports. The projects would be executed on BOT basis and the partner in this regard would be chosen through global tenders, he added. According to future possibilities, 17 ports, including six major ones, would be developed, he claimed.

He said the works on the proposed Vizhinjam Port, near here, would begin immediately after getting the Centre's nod. Though a private firm had moved the court against the tender, it would not affect the work on the project, Mr Vijayakumar added.

UNI