Centre considering security clearance for Kerala' minor port

New Delhi, July 27 (UNI) The Centre's security clearance to Kerala's proposal for developing a minor port at Vizhinjam to facilitate a deep water international container transhipment is under process, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

In a written reply, Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Minister T R Baalu said that ''as far as Government of India is concerned, clearance from security angle is required to be given, which is under process.'' He said the Kerala government had informed that competitive bids had been invited for the project, and these were accepted earlier this year. ''They have sent the proposal for clearnces, if any, that may be required from the Government of India,'' he said.

Replying to another query, the minister said the Department of Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairying of the Agriculture Ministry had received a reference regarding taking over of Integrated Fisheries Project (IFP) slipway on lease basis by the Kerala government's Port Department.

He said the slipway consisted of a cradle for hauling up of vessels was previously under the control of Integrated Fisheries Project (IFP), Cochin.

It has since been transferred to the Fishery Survey of India (FSI) for developmental activities.

Mr Baalu informed that an Expert Committee had also been constituted in the Department of Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and dairying to examine the requirements for recommissioning of the facilities of the slipway, which were earlier not being utilised fully by IFP.

The FSI is having a fleet of 12 vessels and with the recommissioning of the slipway the facility would be utilised for berthing the departmental vessels.

''It is thus not possible for the Department of Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairying to spare the slipway for the use of Kerala government's Port Department,'' he pointed out.

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