CCEA sanctions capital dredging for Vallarpadam project

Kochi, Nov 6 (UNI) The total investment by the Centre in the upcoming International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadam near here will increase to Rs 1,184 crore with the Union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs giving its approval for the capital dredging.

A press release from Cochin Port Trust (CPT) said here the work will provide draft of 14.5 metre at an estimated cost of Rs 381.25 crore. Out of this amount, a sum of Rs 297.42 crore would be Government of India grants-in-aid and the balance Rs 83.83 crore would be given as loan.

It may be recalled that last year the Centre had sanctioned Rs 557 crore for the construction of a four-lane Highway to connect Vallarpadam island with NH 47 and another Rs 246 crore to construct rail connectivity for Vallarpadam.

The construction of the 17.5 km long road connectivity and 8.5 km long rail connectivity projects were progressing at full swing.

The Vallarpadam project is concicved to service 'mother ships' of 8,000 + TEU capacity requiring a draft of 14.5 meters and as per the agreement with Dubai Ports World, the CPT has to widen and deepen the channels to enable mother ships of 14.5 metres draft, the release added.

The infrastructure projects for Vallarpadam like road and rail connectivity and deepening of the channels would also support other important projects like the SEZ, LNG Terminal, Bunkering Terminal and LPG Terminal.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had laid the foundation stone for the prestigious Rs 2,118 crore project in February 2005, it may be recalled.

UNI MA VV AK AS2049