The Hindu Business Line : PMO reviews progress of infrastructure projects in Kerala

THE Prime Minister's Office (PMO) is monitoring the Rs 29,000-crore projects, including Rajiv Gandhi Combined Cycle power project Stage II at Kayamkulam by NTPC, LNG Terminal, Vallarpadam Container Transhipment Terminal, Gas Grid from Kochi to Kayamkulam by GAIL etc.

The Prime Minister's Principal Secretary, Mr T.K.A. Nair, was here at the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation to review the progress of these projects. Representatives from NTPC, GAIL, Petronet and Cochin Port Trust participated in the meeting.

The Prime Minister has laid the foundation stone for the Rajiv Gandhi Combined Cycle Power Project and the International Container Transhipment Terminal of the Cochin Port Trust.

Mr Nair at the outset desired that these projects be implemented in a time-bound manner, which would go a long way in giving a strong impetus to the development of Kerala as well as the country at large.

As regards Rajiv Gandhi Combined Cycle Power Project, Mr C.P.Jain, CMD, NTPC, informed the meeting that all clearances and statutory approvals from the State Government are in place and the project related activities are being taken up to match the project completion with delivery of fuel (re-gasified LNG) at Kayamkulam for which heads of agreement has already been initiated between NTPC and GAIL. All project related activities are on schedule.

Mr P. Dasgupta, CEO and MD of Petronet LNG Ltd, informed the meeting that 5 MM TPA of LNG source has been tied up and the receiving and re-gasification LNG Terminal being set up at Kochi is scheduled to be ready by the end of 2009.

Senior officials of GAIL in their presentation mentioned that for NTPC's requirement, laying of 110 km of sub-sea pipeline for carrying gas to NTPC Kayamkulam would be completed by Sepember 2009. Mr Jain promised that Stage-II of Combined Cycle Power Project at Kayamkulam is targeted for commissioning matching with gas delivery. GAIL officials also explained the progress of the petrochemical project as well as the City Gas Distribution project being implemented at Kochi, which would be completed in 2009.

Mr N. Ramachandran, Chairman, Cochin Port Trust, also made a detailed presentation on the port-related special economic zone and projects coming up within the zone.

A group has been formed to monitor the progress and co-ordinate the activities of these projects. Mr P.H. Kurien, Managing Director, KSIDC, would be convenor of the group, with Director (Technical), NTPC; Director, GAIL; MD, Petronet; and Chairman of the port trust as members.

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