Kerala HC stays Vizhinjam construction

Kochi, June 3 (UNI) The Kerala High Court today directed the State Government not to go ahead with the construction of the proposed Rs 5,000 crore Vizhinjam Deepwater Transshipment Terminal for two weeks.

Justice Thottathil B Radhakrishnan also directed the Government to place on record the report of a high-level committee, which considered the bids for the project, and the evaluation report regarding the bid of Zoom Developers.

The court also directed that copies of the reports be served on Zoom Developers.

However, the court clarified that the Centre might continue its consideration regarding grant of clearance for the project. The Government might also grant the clearance if it was so advised, the court added.

The court's directions came on a petition filed by Mumbai-based Zoom Developers, challenging the Kerala Government's decision last month to grant the BOT (Build Operate Transfer) contract for the Vizhinjam Terminal to a consortium, led by Hyderabad-based Lanco Kondapalli Power Ltd.

The court would again consider the matter next week.

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