Kerala to acquire 1,088 hectare land for Vizhinjam Port: CM

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 6 (UNI) Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan today said the government would expedite the process of acquiring 1,088 hectare land for developing infrastructure facilities for the proposed Vizhinjam Deep sea Transshipment Terminal , near here.

Briefing reporters after a Cabinet meeting, he said the land would be used for developing infrastructure facilities like railways, roads, warehouses, parking area and other basic facilities.

Mr Achuthanandan said the Defence Ministry had given the green signal for the project and expressed the hope that the construction of the project would start soon after getting the clearance from the Union Home Department.

On the pre-condition put forward by the Defence Department for giving its approval, he said the terms would be discussed by the Cabinet.

Since the project was for the development of the whole country, the Centre would extend all possible help for materialising the project, he said.

The Defence Ministry had given its nod for the project yesterday on the conditions that the Naval vessels should be berthed at the port and a Naval representative be on the Vizhinjam Port Board.

On the safety of coastal areas following the information that terrorists may spread their activities on the Kerala Coast, he said it was for the Centre to check such activities.

UNI CGVGM PD NS1543