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Kochi Jan. 28 The Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Mr T.R. Baalu, will formally launch the work on connectivity projects for the Vallarpadam International Container Transhipment Terminal here on February 9. The State Chief Minister, Mr V.S. Achuthanandan, will be the chief guest at the function.

Earlier this month, the Public Investment Board (PIB) of the Union Government had, in two separate sittings, cleared investments of Rs 525 crore for construction of the 4-lane National Highway connectivity from Vallarpadam to Kalamassery and Rs 245 crore for the rail connectivity from Vallarpadam to Edappally Railway Station.

The Union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs is expected to give the formal clearance for these investments shortly. The National Highways Authority of India is to carry out construction of the 17.5-km long National Highway and the Rail Vikas Nigam Limited will undertake the construction of 8.8-km long rail project.

Although land acquisition for these projects is likely to take some more time, it has been decided to commence work in the backwater and other areas where the land is already in possession of the Port and Government agencies, a press statement issued by the Port said.

According to the licence agreement signed by the Cochin Port Trust with Dubai Port World, commencement of construction activities for the two connectivity projects is a pre-condition for construction of the main Container Terminal at Vallarpadam.

Other pre-conditions include setting up of a Special Economic Zone, environmental clearances and deepening of the channels in phases.

Deadlines

The statement pointed out that the Port Trust had met all the pre-conditions well ahead of time. According to the licence agreement, the connectivity constructions are required to commence latest by April 1, 2007.

In spite of several road blocks at various stages, the Port has been able to advance this deadline by nearly two months, thanks to the concerted efforts made by both the State and Central Governments, as well as public representatives cutting across party lines.

The role played by the District Administration of Ernakulam in deftly handling the land acquisition for these projects has been of help in the timely processing of the clearances. The project is to be commissioned before April 1, 2009.

More Stories on : Outlook | Infrastructure | Railways | Roadways | Kerala

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