VCT operational by Nov'09: Kerala CM

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 11: Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan today told the state Assembly that work on setting up the Vallarpadam Container Terminal (VCT) at Kochi, is expected to be completed by November 2009.

In a written reply to Mr A M Yousaf (CPM) and others, he said the India Gateway Terminal (IGT), BOT operators of the Vallarpadam project had informed the government that the work would begin by November end this year.

The firm had completed its formalities, including all kinds of studies and examinations, land acquisition and even acquired environmental clearance and Special Economic Zone status to the project area, he said.

Mr Achuthandan said the Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd would carry out the rail connectivity to the terminal while the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), undertaking the four-line road connectivity to the NH-47, had already commenced work and it was expecting to complete it within 30 months.

Though the land acquisition process for the project had not completed, land for the railway had already been handed over. The land acquisition process for other works were in progress, he added.

UNI