The Hindu Business Line : Vallarpadam terminal likely to be delayed by six months

The delay in land acquisition for connectivity projects of Vallarpadam Container Transhipment Terminal might prolong the commissioning of the project at least by six months.

This has already been stated in the State Assembly by the Industries Minister. He has informed the Assembly that the project would be completed only by October 1, 2009 as against the set time frame of April 1, 2009 in view of the delays in land acquisition required for setting up the road and rail connectivity, which is a pre-requisite for the Rs 2,000 crore Vallarpadam project.

Compensation to evictees

However, highly placed sources in the State Government told Business Line that the project is likely to be delayed for another six months and the date of its commissioning may be in 2010. The Ernakulam District Administration could be able to acquire only less than 15-20 per cent required for the connectivity projects due to protests by several unimportant organisations demanding compensation packages for displaced families, who have been evicted for acquiring the land for NH connectivity, the sources said.

The Union Government, especially the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), has taken a serious view on the failure of the district administration in meeting the February 15 deadline set by the PMO for the acquisition of land. It is understood that the District Administration had informed the PMO on the reasons for the delay in acquiring land.

Even though the State Government has come out with a fresh package for evictees by enhancing the compensation, that package has also been rejected by the evictees in the suburban Moolampilly area, where the national highway to Vallarpadam passes. Given the situation, it is expected that the commissioning of the project will be further delayed by another year, the sources added.

Chamber warning

The Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry had viewed with concern the announcement made by the Minister on the expected delay on the completion of the project beyond April 2009. This is all the more so since past experience in Kerala has shown that any disruption in the predetermined time schedules of a project tends to act as a precursor to further delays, a chamber official said.

The chamber is of the firm view that there is no case for any delay in the project and that every effort should be made to ensure that the project is completed and commissioned as planned.

It urged the State Government to use its collective will and power to ensure that this prestigious project is completed on time and commissioned as envisaged.

“If we are able to do this, it will help by sending out a positive signal to potential future investors in the State whereas any other course of action could prove detrimental to Kerala’s future prospects”, an official in the Chamber said.

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