The Hindu Business Line : It's all systems go for Vallarpadam ICTT

The work on providing road and rail connectivity to the international container transhipment terminal (ICTT) being set up at Vallarpadam, near Kochi, is on schedule. There has been no delay in acquiring land for the project though there are some disputes over a couple of sites with railway lines passing through them. As per the contractual obligation with the terminal operator, the work for the road and rail alignment should start by April. However, the Cochin Port Trust is hopeful of removing all obstacles soon so that the work could be started before the deadline. The Cochin Port Trust Chairman, Mr N. Ramachandran, spoke to Business Line on the progress of the work.

Excerpts from the interview:

What is the level of progress of work on providing rail and road connectivity to Vallarpadam?

Land acquisition is going on in full swing and is on schedule. According to the contract, the work must begin by April. We want to start off in January itself. But some legal delays cannot be ruled out, particularly in the acquisition of land for the rail line to Vallarpadam.

We are studying the court order though it has not stayed acquisition. It has only directed to take some measures for the affected parties.

Meanwhile, the port has paid Rs 50 crore to the District Administration to expedite pre-construction work by both the National Highway Authority of India and Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd.

The port has to create an embankment at Mulavukad before the land is handed over to the NHAI to construct the road. All these bottlenecks will be cleared soon and the work will commence shortly.

What steps have you taken to clear the general impression that Kochi is a strike-prone port?

It is not true that Kochi is a strike-prone port. We had only one incidence of strike in 2006, and even then only 24 hours were lost. Compared to many other ports, we have had fewer strikes.

However, there are some smaller issues which involve the workers outside the port and any action by them often affects normal operations of the port. But I concede that there is a need for an image management, which we are doing.

During the last one year, there has been a lot of improvement from the labour side.

Considering the exploitation that was going on in the name of labour, we initiated steps to protect the interest of labour in both the organised and unorganised sectors.

We have introduced a new system in the Willingdon Island to avoid exploitation of labour by unscrupulous elements. These measures are largely appreciated by the majority of the trade unions. The labour reforms leading to visible improvement in the condition of the workers have led to drop in handling costs which in turn has benefited trade as is evident from the rise in the number of mainline vessels calling at the port.

And pilferage...

Yes, pilferage is a serious problem but fortunately it is not on the rise in the port area. There were only two instances of the hijacking of containers from the port premises. Part of the consignment has already been recovered and the matter is being handled with all seriousness.

I can assure the trade that full protection will be given to their consignments within the port limits. Strong action will be taken against those found guilty.

What about renovating the Mattanchery wharf?

We recently increased the storage area at the Mattanchery wharf to provide sufficient space for storing bulk cargo.

Moreover, the wharf itself will be reconstructed to handle both dry bulk and liquid bulk cargo vessels. There are also plans to construct a portion of Ernalukam wharf to handle bulk cargo vessels by deepening the channel to 12.5 metres. The idea is to have a combination of shallow berth in the Mattanchery wharf and a deep-draft berth in Ernakulam wharf and to save on maintenance dredging cost which is not small.

Apprehensions have been expressed over capital dredging by many living in the vicinity ...

Any project of this nature is undertaken on the basis of extensive scientific studies and therefore there is no reason for any apprehension.

The Pune-based Central Water Power Research Station and the London-based H. R. Wallingford are doing wave studies and siltation pattern. Bhaba Atomic Research Centre and the National Institute of Oceanography are also involved in it.

The capital dredging work will be started only after the completion of studies on siltation and shore changes. Meanwhile, the Wallingford has submitted its report stating that there is absolutely no reason for apprehension.

What about Indian Oil Corporation's plan to handle LPG at the port?

IOC has approached the port seeking an exclusive terminal to handle LPG. As the existing oil terminal is located near the mainland, and having an LPG handling facility there will not be right.

The port authorities therefore have taken a decision to allot to IOC 15 hectares at Puthuvypeen to set up the LPG handling facility there. IOC has to conduct a feasibility study and get back to us.