Land acquisition for container project to be settled amicably

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 18 (UNI) Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan today said construction of the Vallarpadam Container Terminal at Kochi would be completed in a time bound manner after solving the issue of land acquisition at Vaduthala area.

Replying to questions by Simon Brito Rodrigues (CPI-M) and others, he said except objection from the local people in Vaduthala to the land acquisition for rail connectivity to the project, almost all other matters had been settled.

Once the issue was settled, the exact date of construction of the project could be announced, he said adding that since the project was intended for the people, the government was trying to amicably settle the issue through discussions.

Following objections from the local people, the issue had been discussed by Additional Secretary with the Prime Minister's Principal Secretary and later talks were held with the Union Shipping and Surface Transport Minister T R Baalu, he said.

Except clearance from the Union Environment and Forest Ministry, all other clearances for the project had already been received from the Centre, he added.

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