Kerala urges Centre to use 'Rupee-Rouble Fund' to develop Vizhinjam

Kochi, Mar 18 (UNI) Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan today urged the Centre to utilise part of the 'Rupee-Rouble Debt Fund' with Russia to develop the state's proposed international container transhipment terminal at Vizhinjam.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a seminar organised by the Southern Naval Command here, Mr Achuthanandan said the state had already taken up the matter with the Prime Minister and had made the request to Defence Minister A K Antony also.

Referring to the offer made by Russian President Vladimir Putin, during his recent visit to India to use the one million Rouble fund to develop infrastructure projects in India, Mr Achuthanandan said the fund could be used for developing the Vizhinjam port.

''The Russian Federation has indicated their interest to develop our Vizhinjam Port. I would request the Defence Minister to help us to get the necessary assistance from this fund and from the Russian Federation towards development of Vizhinjam Port to an international container transshipment hub,'' he added.

Mr Antony, who was also present, said the Defence Ministry was open to this idea and suggested that Kerala formally put the proposal to the Centre through the Union Shipping Ministry.

The Defence Minister described the Vizhinjam project in Thiruvananthapuram district as ''very important'' and expressed optimism about the state's proposal being accepted by the Centre.

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