The Hindu Business Line : Fresh proposal to revive Alappuzha marina project

The Kerala Ports Department had entered into a memorandum of understanding with Mumbai-based Eeco Marine for the development of the marina more than a year ago. The company had also submitted a proposal subsequently.

According to official sources, Eeco Marine has now submitted a revised proposal, which is under evaluation. A meeting has also been convened sometime next week between the company representatives and the department officials.

The marina project, estimated to cost Rs 250 crore, envisages development of facilities at Alappuzha port for water sports, boat cruising and related recreational activities. It is one of the major development projects drawn up by the Ports Department along with Vizhinjam, Azhikkal and Beypore projects.

In the case of Vizhinjam project, the technical and financial bids submitted by the two bidders, namely, Gammon India and a consortium led by Zoom Developers of Mumbai, are under evaluation. A final decision on the bids is expected by next month. The consortium of Zoom Developers has two Chinese partners — Chinese Harbour Engineering Company, a China Government undertaking, and Kaidi Electric Power Company.

The Minister of Ports, Mr M.V. Raghavan, had said that the technical evaluation of the two bids was already over and that the second stage of financial evaluation was being carried out by the Finance Department. He, however, reiterated that if the bids failed to stand up to the evaluation, the Government would take up the construction of the port on its own through the company floated by it.

In fact, the department is keen on entering into agreements with prospective developers for all the four projects within the next couple of months, the sources said.

For Azhikkal port, the technical and financial bid submitted by the Sharjah-based Universal Lubricants is in the final phase of scrutiny by the expert committee. The company has proposed setting up a jetty at the river of the mouth for handling petroleum products, oil and lubricants.

The department is also planning to invite expressions of interest for the development of other modules at the port.