Comments
Even as the Left-wing parties in Kerala continue to protest against Adani Group-led development of Vizhinjam port, Minister of Shipping and Transport Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday warned that if the project continues face protest, then it could be shifted to Colachel in Tamil Nadu.
Addressing the media, Gadkari said that Adani Group had emerged as the sole bidder for the project, on its own merits and it had not received any political support from the any quarter.
In fact the Kerala Government itself had chosen the group for the project. The port project will bring new development in the State, he said.
It involves investments of about ₹7,000 crore for setting an international seaport and container transshipment terminal. The transshipment terminal is being planned on the lines of Colombo port in Sri Lanka.
“If the project is facing opposition and if local people do no want development in their State, then the project can be shifted to Colachel in Tamil Nadu,” Gadkari said.
Colachel port is on the West coast on the country and in close proximity of international and national sea traffic. It is located within the jurisdiction of Kanyakumari district and about 20 km north-west of Kanyakumari point, the Southern most tip of peninsular India.
CPI (M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury had opposed the Vizhinjam project being given to Adani Group.
He had said that a public sector entity should develop the port due to security concerns.
On the redevelopment of large area of land locked inside the Mumbai Port Trust area, Gadkari said that the land would not be handed to any builder or real estate developer. It would be developed by the Ministry along with the local government for marinas, open air theatres and convention centres. During interaction with the media, he obliquely mentioned that Ministry was also thinking of developing another port as an alternative to Mumbai port on the western coast.
However, he did not share details about the plans. On the progress of national highway projects, Gadkari said that the Centre was now keen on implementing road projects using the PPP and hybrid financial model as the private developers have not shown keen interest in developing the projects.
Comments
COMMENT NOW
Comments
Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.
We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of TheHindu Businessline and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.