Petronet LNG project terms and conditions to be finalised soon:Baalu

Kochi, Dec 22 (UNI) The Rs 2,200 crore Petronet LNG regassification terminal project at Puthuvypeen here has received all clearances and the terms and conditions of the project will be finalised soon, Union Shipping Minister T R Baalu said today.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr Baalu said the project, with a capacity of 2.5 million metric tonnes, had received all clearances.

Petronet LNG, which is to build and operate the plant, will start discussions with the Cochin Port Authorities on the terms and conditions of the project and these are likely to be finalised very quickly, he added.

On the Vallarpadam international container transshipment terminal project here, Mr Baalu was hopeful that the project would be completed on schedule, by 2008.

Regarding the railway alignment for the transshipment terminal, Mr Baalu said while the residents of the Vaduthala area here had gone to the court against the proposed rail alignment, he was hopeful that the matter would be sorted out soon.

There was no problem about the national highway connectivity.

Tenders had been called by the National Highway Authority of India, which is funding the proposed Rs 500 crore four-lane, 17.5 km highway from Vallarpadam to Kalmaserry.

The Public Sector Undertakings Board is to meet on January five to clear the Vallarpadam project, he added.

On the state government's land acquisition drive for the highway and railway connectivity, Mr Baalu said that the state government was extending all cooperation and support for the project.

UNI ARC DK1622