The Kerala Government has sought a revised detailed feasibility report (DFR) from the consultant for the development of Azhikkal port in Kannur district.
The Government has asked Deloitte India Ltd, the consultant, to revise the earlier DFR in the light of reluctance on the part of investors to participate in the tendering process under the existing conditions contained in the proposal. The re-tendering process will begin soon after the Government receives the revised report.
The global tender floated a few months ago to rope in a private partner for the project had attracted a lone bidder, Mundra Port and SEZ Ltd, which had its eyes on a coal-based mega thermal project proposed to be set up in the region.
The coal was to be brought in from Orissa through the port and with the prospects in view, Mundra Port had raised the project outlay from around Rs 760 crore to over Rs 3,000 crore. But the Government later decided to abandon the coal-based project and Mundra Port lost interest in the port.
Beypore port
Meanwhile, the project report for the development of Beypore port, near here, is also being revised and the Infrastructures Kerala Ltd (INKEL), a public-private enterprise formed by the State Government, has been entrusted with the task.
This, too, follows the failure of a global tender floated a few months ago to elicit any response from investors.
According to port officials, the revised report will be in place within the next few weeks and the re-tendering process will be initiated soon after. As reported earlier, the Government has signed an agreement with Lakshadweep Development Council for the construction of a berth in the port by the latter for exclusively handling the passenger and cargo traffic to and from the island.
The Government is also considering the appointment of a consultant for studying the feasibility of extending the port to the outer sea where the draft was deeper than the existing port area.
It is pointed out that the available draft in the port now was around six metres and further dredging is difficult due to the presence of hard laterite in the area. The development of the port to the outer sea will enable larger vessels to berth there, it is pointed out.