Govt, to opt for other alternative to implemennt Vizhinjam project

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 7 (UNI) The BJP in Kerala today said the government would look for alternative steps to implement the proposed Vizhinjam transshipment Container Terminal project in the state.

Talking to news here, Senior BJP leader O Rajagopal said the Centre had not rejected the project but had only said the project could not be cleared if it was constructed by Chinese companies pointing out the security reasons.

If the state government submitted a fresh proposal with another bidder, who did not pose any threat to the security of the country, with the same terms and conditions, the centre would give clearance, he added.

Rejecting CPI (M) General Secretary Prakash Karat's statement in the media that the Kerala unit of the BJP had no differences of opinion in entrusting the work to the Chinese companies, the BJP leader charged ''he was misguided by somebody or distorting the facts.'' The Former Union Minister said the BJP strongly feels the project would be implemented at the earliest, as it would be one of the best ports in the country.

Pointing out the Centre had rejected similar projects in Chennai and Mumbai against the involvement of Chinese companies in the project, he said the CPI(M)'s stand in this regard was not justified.

Mr Rajagopal suggested the government should take immediate steps to find another bidder and if necessary it should use the company floated by former Kerala Co-operation Minister M V Raghavan for the purpose.

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