EIA to finish by June 30th.

http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/8937/vzmmm.jpg

Source: Malayala Manorama

Welspun offers only a minor slash


HIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The consortium led by Welspun Infratech Ltd, the lone bidder for the port operator’s post for the Vizhinjam international seaport project, has told the State Government that it can slash its request for grant only by Rs 20 crore. In February, the consortium had sought a grant of Rs 479.54 crore over a period of 16 years from the government. Welspun has also informed the state that it can further reduce its demand by another Rs 20 crore provided it also bags the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract for building the port.
The Welspun offer came after two meetings with the bid negotiation committee formed by the State Government over the past weeks. After scrutiny by project consultants International Finance Corporation (IFC), the offer has been placed before the empowered committee led by the Chief Secretary. A decision is awaited, sources said.

MUMBAI: The Welspun Group-led consortium has agreed to bring down the grant amount it had earlier sought from the Kerala government to operate the Vizhinjam Container Transshipment Terminal.

The consortium, which had earlier asked for a grant of 479 crore, has agreed to lower the amount by 20 crore after the Kerala government asked it to reconsider the bid.

"They (Welspun) have told us that they can bring down the grant amount by 20 crore and once the EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) contract is finalised, they can bring it down by another 20 crore, if they manage to win that project as well," AS Suresh Babu, MD, Vizhinjam Port, told ET.

A consortium led by Welspun group was the only one to submit bids for the Vizhinjam terminal project after the home ministry denied security clearance to Adani group-controlled Mundra Port.

Welspun's offer to lower the proposed grant amount has come after two meetings with a bid negotiation committee formed by the state government over the past weeks.

The Vizhinjam terminal, planned as a container transshipment hub with a capacity to handle 4.1 million TEUs (Twenty foot Equivalent Unit) a year, will be built on the so-called landlord model, where the state government will set up the infrastructure and invite an operator to run the port. In addition, the port is also planning to invite tenders for the break water construction, for which international agency AECOM has been appointed as advisor.

The port is now awaiting completion of environment impact analysis (EIA), which is being conducted by a consortium of L&T-Ramboll and Asian Consulting Engineers. The EIA will assess the impact of a terminal on marine life and ecology, among others.

Since the bid was opened in February, the state government had formed an empowered committee led by the state chief secretary to evaluate the report submitted by project consultants, IFC, on the bid. After the report was submitted, the state government held discussions with the company to reconsider its demand. The Vizhinjam project has been delayed since 2004, when the government gave shape to the project and since then made two unsuccessful attempts to develop the port.

In 2006, a consortium of infrastructure firms led by Mumbai-based Zoom developers and three Chinese companies were picked by the state to develop the entire project, but was subsequently cancelled.

The delays have already pushed up the cost of the project by more than 60% because of escalating land and infrastructure costs.

The port is also looking to raise finance for the project. This includes the state government looking to raise 800 crore through a bond issue, while the developer Vizhinjam International has engaged SBI Caps to mop up 800 crore from leading financial institutions such as HUDCO and LIC.

Besides, a consortium led by State Bank of Travancore will bring in 300 while the state government has allowed a budgetary allocation of 250 crore.

"The team from Hudco will visit the project site and a final decision on financial infusion will be taken only after the EPC dredging contracts are cleared," said Suresh Babu.







http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/shipping-/-transport/welspun-agrees-to-lower-grant-for-vizhinjam-operations/articleshow/13128455.cms

A strategic failure

India declined Sri Lanka’s offer to build Hambantota Port, but China grabbed the opportunity. With strategic foresight, Beijing has stolen a march over New Delhi.


Minister for External Affairs SM Krishna is in Colombo on a four-day visit after more than a year to chivvy up reconstruction projects in the north. He will also be visiting Galle but not Hambantota. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa in June 2010 that India would construct 50,000 houses for internally displaced persons. That project was cleared recently.

The Chinese were assigned the contract for construction of Hambantota Port in October 2007. The work began in January 2008 and the first phase was completed on time in November 2010. Hambantota is the hallmark of Chinese vision and efficiency. Hambantota is an exciting story made into a best-seller by the powerful Rajapaksa clan.

The plan for Hambantota Port was conceived 25 years ago by Sri Lanka Port Authority but nobody dared to take it up till Mr Rajapaksa included it in his ‘Mahinda Chintana’. The feasibility study was done by Canada and the first offer made to India which rejected it on two counts: Money and India’s dependence on Colombo Harbour. At present 80 per cent of India’s shipping is handled by Colombo and not till the new Cochin port is built will the dependence change. Colombo Harbour is being modernised with Chinese assistance to increase its annual capacity from 6,000 to 8,000 ships.

Hambantota is destined to become the prime port of call in Sri Lanka, surpassing Colombo. It is the world’s first in-built harbour carved out of land strategically located astride the busiest East-West shipping lanes poised to challenge the primacy of Singapore Port once fully developed in 2020.

It is being built by China with its aid, loan, technology and 400 engineers. The harbour is 16m deep — to be deepened to 17m by 2014 — and connected to sea via a channel with two breakwaters. At present it can accommodate four medium-sized general cargo ships with space for 18 ships but ultimately it will be able to accommodate 33 ships.

The Chinese have given $360 million and will provide $808 million in soft loan for the second phase of the project. Another $176 million has been provided for construction of LPG, aviation and bunkering tanks. A railway line, oil and gas pipelines, facilities for containers, transit warehouses, rest and crew change, and ship repair facilities are all in the works. A total of 18 tank farms were to be ready by December 2011.

The Chinese-aided $190 million Maththala International Airport will be ready to fly by end-2012. Four-lane highways, hotels and an industrial hub are to transform Hambantota, famous for salt flats and a hot and arid climate, into a bustling tourist and business centre.

The other ports competing with Hambantota are Gwadar, Salala (Oman), Chittagong and Penang. But as Hambantota lies astride shipping channels eight and nine, vessels will require only a five mile deviation to reach it. In his new book, Monsoon, Robert Kaplan describes the Indian Ocean region as the epicentre of the world and Sri Lanka with Hambantota at its centre, the future hub of the Indian Ocean Rim, gateway to Far East Asia and doorstep to South Asia.

Due to its nodal location, Hambantota by 2014 will handle 2,500 of 70,000 cargo ships annually; it will increase to 8,000 ships by 2020. Eighty per cent of China’s energy supply and 90 per cent trade plies along this route. With its first aircraft carrier likely to be operational this year and an expanding blue water Navy, China will require naval bunkering and berthing facilities along this route for its anti-piracy patrols and protection of its merchant vessels.

It is reported that Chinese vessels used Lankan naval ports for refuelling and replenishment en route to participating in naval exercises with Pakistan in 2007 and 2009 and for anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and the Horn of Africa in 2008. They are known to have used Oman, Djibouti, Aden and Karachi also for logistics.

In 2010 the first phase of Hambantota was completed by China Harbour Engineering Company. Once the requisite depth of the harbour basin of 16m was achieved, it was connected to sea by a channel and a coffer dam was constructed. Soil is being dredged to construct an artificial island near the mouth of the channel.

Work on the second phase is in progress and will be completed by 2014. The harbour has been deepened to 17m. The road connecting Matara and the temple town of Katharagama has been re-routed. Although no container facility is available as yet, road and rail network is planned to connect the port with Maththala airport. A total of 23 countries, including India, have filed tenders to construct an industrial park.

The development of the Hambantota region is Mr Rajapaksa’s dream which seeks to make Sri Lanka the wonder of Asia by creating five multi-dimensional commercial hubs: Knowledge, energy and power, aviation, commercial and naval. The naval hub will augment existing ports and harbours in the north-east —Trincomalee, the world’s second largest natural harbour, Kankesanthurai and Point Pedro. The naval hubs contemplated are Colombo South Harbour, Hambantota Port, Olluvil Port and Galle Port. The last could turn out to be a new naval harbour.

The present plans for Hambantota are confined to making it into a sprawling commercial port to rival Singapore. Converting ports into naval bases costs billions of dollars, besides bringing in issues of sovereignty. Last year on a visit to Beijing, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister GL Peiris said that Hambantota would never become a military base.

China has no role in operating the port nor has the Sri Lankan Government considered privatisation. Mr Rajapaksa has said India need not fear China’s role in Sri Lanka, adding, “The Chinese will come and go; Indians will stay.” He elaborated on the 2500-year-old relations with India “but that does not mean that we will not get commercial benefits from others”.

Sri Lanka was quick to offer India a third consulate at Hambantota to quell fears of Chinese activities in the south. Hambantota is the fulcrum of Colombo’s desire to reposition itself as the Pearl of the old Silk Route. Still, who knows what will happen in 2025 when the fourth phase of Hambantota is completed — or even earlier. For example, a huge rock was encountered in the middle of the 210m wide channel. Mr Peiris is quick to remind whom it may concern: “Look what happened when President Junius Jayawardene tried to give Trincomalee to the US.”

Source : (http://www.dailypioneer.com/columnists/item/50888-a-strategic-failure.html)

Other Links:
Link 1: (http://tamilnation.co/intframe/indian_ocean/index.htm)
Link 2 : (http://defenceforumindia.com/forum/subcontinent-central-asia/25347-china-sri-lanka-signs-us-500-mn-agreement-col-south-terminal-3.html)
Link 3: (http://www.dailypioneer.com/sunday-edition/sundayagenda/cover-story-agenda/10414-red-storm-rising.html)

More strategic failure is failure of India to construct or develop Natural Deep Water Port at Vizhinjam.
China could realise this strategic potential and came to bid for much ignored Natural port of Vizhinjam.Only when they failed to get security clearance for Vizhinjam,did they approach Sri Lanka for Hambantota.

Hope government realises the potential of this port atleast now and act accodingly.

China could realise this strategic potential and came to bid for much ignored Natural port of Vizhinjam.Only when they failed to get security clearance for Vizhinjam,did they approach Sri Lanka for Hambantota.

Does anyone believe that the Chinese seriously wanted to build an addition to their "string of pearls" on Indian soil? Those companies came as contractors or were made to seem to be interested in the project by that acknowledged master of smoke-and-mirrors, Zoom Developers. So Hambantota was never a substitute for Vizhinjam.

The real risk is that Colombo, which transships the lion's share of Indian container traffic is in a country that looks dangerously like becoming another satellite of Beijing. Only Vizhinjam can offer a viable alternative, and it has become more a strategic need than an economic one to develop the port. India should ensure that Vizhinjam is commercially more attractive than Colombo and wean Indian traffic away from foreign ports like Colombo and Dubai.

China's intention is to dominate the Indian ocean by getting into an alliance with Srilanka and engulf India also known as the 'string of pearls'.I donot know how strategically Vizhinjam is going to help in countering it.
It is just a transshipment hub which is going to have enough depth for mother ships and nearest to the international shipping route.Going to boost our economy when it comes into force.regarding strategic positioning i am not clear.

China's intention is to dominate the Indian ocean by getting into an alliance with Srilanka and engulf India also known as the 'string of pearls'.I donot know how strategically Vizhinjam is going to help in countering it.
It is just a transshipment hub which is going to have enough depth for mother ships and nearest to the international shipping route.Going to boost our economy when it comes into force.regarding strategic positioning i am not clear.

Fortunately, it seems that the key decision makers with respect to India's defence are very clear about Vizhinjam's potential.

http://epaper.mathrubhumi.com/epaperimages/1652012/1652012-md-tv-13/421916.JPG


^^
This report shows how deep even the coast of Vizhinjam is.

Fortunately, it seems that the key decision makers with respect to India's defence are very clear about Vizhinjam's potential.

Who are you referring to?It would be helpful if you can enlighten regarding the same.

^^
This report shows how deep even the coast of Vizhinjam is.

Lol, here's a paper which is complaining about natural draft and the proximity of shipping lanes which other ports in the country would give an arm and a leg for.

China's intention is to dominate the Indian ocean by getting into an alliance with Srilanka and engulf India also known as the 'string of pearls'.I donot know how strategically Vizhinjam is going to help in countering it.
It is just a transshipment hub which is going to have enough depth for mother ships and nearest to the international shipping route.Going to boost our economy when it comes into force.regarding strategic positioning i am not clear.

Please find the link below to understand the meaning of strategic location of Southern Tips ( be it India or SL).

Vizhinjam or Colachel has the same strategic location as Hambantota.

Please find the link below to understand the meaning of strategic location of Southern Tips ( be it India or SL).
www.iisc.ernet.in/prasthu/pages/PP_data/vasan.ppt

Vizhinjam or Colachel has the same strategic location as Hambantota.

thanks for the ppt by commodore Vasan (retd).well made ppt.
but the thing is Hambanthota is strategically imp for India becoz of china's presence.We are in a state of discomfort coz of the Dragon right beneath us.We made a blunder by rejectying Srilanks's offer at the first place.china grabbed it with both hands.There is no way Vizhinjam is going to be more strategically placed than a Tuticorin or cochin base.In fact A &N has to be further strengthened c oz its near to the east asian countries and much more strategically imp in terms of naval warfare.

And i am sorry but could not find vizhinjam mentioned in the ppt.

but the thing is Hambanthota is strategically imp for India becoz of china's presence.

The Chinese presence is precisely why Vizhinjam, which lies closest to the international shipping lanes which are China's life-blood in terms of strategic commodities and trade, is so important to us.

Vizhinjam also offers the best option for India to maintain disruption free global logistics when its current primary transshipment hub, Colombo, is located in a nation which has significant geo-political risks as past and current events have shown. The Indian economy has significant ExIm exposure and needs to have a secure global logistics chain of which Vizhinjam, given its ability to accommodate even Triple-E container ships, is a very key element. More so than any other existing port.


There is no way Vizhinjam is going to be more strategically placed than a Tuticorin or cochin base.

Does the IN's blue water combat ships have an allergy to Vizhinjam that they would only enter the harbors at Tuticorin or Ernakulam? Given its draft and proximity not just to the shipping lanes, but to the Maledives, Seychelles and East Africa, Vizhinjam (and/or Colachel) would be ideal for deployment of a rapid response blue water force, especially in terms of the larger aircraft carriers, such as the INS Vikramaditya and the 65,000 ton class carriers that the Navy is planning to deploy.

And i am sorry but could not find vizhinjam mentioned in the ppt.

Perhaps, you can write to Comm. Vasan and ask him to do so in his forthcoming talks.

thanks for the ppt by commodore Vasan (retd).well made ppt.
but the thing is Hambanthota is strategically imp for India becoz of china's presence.We are in a state of discomfort coz of the Dragon right beneath us.We made a blunder by rejectying Srilanks's offer at the first place.china grabbed it with both hands.There is no way Vizhinjam is going to be more strategically placed than a Tuticorin or cochin base.In fact A &N has to be further strengthened c oz its near to the east asian countries and much more strategically imp in terms of naval warfare.

And i am sorry but could not find vizhinjam mentioned in the ppt.

Reply to this is posted in General Discussions thread.
Hope you are from army.
My request is Don't get biased for or against any city.
Try to see India as a single nation....One India,...My India

thanks for the ppt by commodore Vasan (retd).well made ppt.


And i am sorry but could not find vizhinjam mentioned in the ppt.

One need not be a naval strategist to understand the importance of Vizhinjam, it is pure common sense. If you have any doubt, approach any second grader with a map of the southern coastline with places like Colombo, Kochi, Vizhinjam, malaca shipping route, Chinese lifeline etc marked clearly on it. Ppt files are sometimes misleading!!

One need not be a naval strategist to understand the importance of Vizhinjam, it is pure common sense. If you have any doubt, approach any second grader with a map of the southern coastline with places like Colombo, Kochi, Vizhinjam, malaca shipping route, Chinese lifeline etc marked clearly on it. Ppt files are sometimes misleading!!

The ppt file is not about any Indian port.It is about the failure of our country to grab the strategic port in SL.But both these ports have strategic location that they can easily command Arabian Sea,Bay of bengal and Indian ocean routes easily.
Please go through the links 1,2 and 3 mentioned in my post 2004.

I am deleting the link of the ppt for some reasons.

A team of officials from Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) visited the site proposed for the Vizhinjam International Seaport near here on Thursday, preparatory to submitting a proposal before the company's board for supporting the project with an assistance of Rs.500 crore.

The team, comprising R. K. Singh from the company's Project Division, Lalit Singla from Finance Division and Thiruvananthapuram chief V. Thirumavalavan, also had discussions with top functionaries of Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL), the government undertaking constituted to execute the ambitious project of the State Government.

HUDCO officials said the final decision on the Rs.500-crore lending to VISL would be taken at the company's board meeting later this month. VISL would be developing the basic infrastructure of the port, conceived along the landlord model. In addition to Rs.500 crore from HUDCO, VISL is looking for Rs.300 crore from the Life Insurance Corporation of India. VISL had already discussed the matter with the LIC.

VISL is also approaching a consortium of banks, led by State Bank of Travancore, for mobilising a further amount of Rs.300 crore for the project. Moves are also afoot to raise a sum of Rs.800 crore through government bonds, VISL Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer A. S. Suresh Babu said.

Mr. Suresh Babu said VISL was moving matters in such a way as to ensure the mobilisation of the entire finance by July.





http://www.thehindu.com/business/companies/article3429427.ece

^^

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/1935/vzmhudcomm.jpg

Source: Malayala Manorama

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/5358/vzmme.jpg

Source: Metro Manorama

^^

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/2078/vzmmb.jpg

Source: Mathrubhumi

^^

Vizhinjam project: Foreign queries galore (http://expressbuzz.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/vizhinjam-project-foreign-queries-galore/394847.html)

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Government might be saddled with just one bidder for the post of port operator for the Vizhinjam seaport project, but fresh enquiries have started coming in from abroad with the government readying to float global tenders for constructing the port.

Over the past two months, teams representing the governments of Britain, Japan, Germany and Canada had met the officials of the Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL) evincing interest in investing in the multi-crore project.

On Tuesday, VISL officials staged a presentation on the project for the British Deputy High Commissioner Mike Nithavrianakis who visited its offices at Vazhuthacaud. “Britain has many strengths in this area. They can participate in the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) bids which will be floated soon,” VISL CEO A S Suresh Babu said.

“The Deputy High Commissioner has also promised that he will inform British companies of the investment opportunities in this project,” Suresh Babu said.

The German Deputy Consul General had met VISL officials and also visited the project site at Mulloor, Vizhinjam, nearly two months ago. He was followed by a Canadian team led by a minister and a Japanese team.

The approximately Rs 1,600-crore EPC contract involves the construction of breakwater, reclamation, quay wall and dredging.

The State Government is yet to decide on the question of port operator with negotiations with the lone bidder, the Welspun group, to bring down the grant amount hitting a wall. Welspun was left the only bidder after the Home Ministry denied clearance to Mundra Ports and SEZ.

The EPC bids for building the port will be floated once the Environment Impact Assessment which is underway is completed by June-end.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7230/7271979506_a19a91884f_b.jpg

^^
How odd. More than three weeks have ended after bid re-negotiation with Welspun concluded. Gov. had then said that they will decide about the offer within a week. But still no sign of life. It seems they will announce the fate of the bid only after Neyatinkara by-polls are over.

India's first cruise terminal will be at vizhinjam.

Source : http://mangalam.com/index.php?page=detail&nid=579422&lang=malayalam

India's first luxury cruise terminal coming up @ Vizhinjam, Trivandrum

http://i1163.photobucket.com/albums/q556/25dude25/vzmintermnal.jpg

Courtesy: Madhyamam

BrsLU6_nn8M

Kerala Government shall at least learn a lesson from ICTT experience of Kochi Port Trust. What is the role of the operator in designing and execution of breakwater construction, dredging or reclamation? Once these activities reach a comfortable stage, you will have better offer from Operators.

keralatilalla irunengil kalnuttandu mumbe vizhinjam padhadhi yathartiyamayene--ummanchandi.
pudupalli keralatilanu videshtho?

What is the role of the operator in designing and execution of breakwater construction, dredging or reclamation? Once these activities reach a comfortable stage, you will have better offer from Operators.

A) There is no relation between Vizhinjam, a natural deep water harbor with minimal siltation and the port at Ernakulam, an estuarine port struggling with low draft and heavy littoral movement, other than that perhaps that they are ports in the same State.

B) The port operator's inputs are crucial in determining design aspects such as the operating draft, length of breakwaters, number and length of berths because all of these depend on the former's business plan.

C) The presence of a capable operator with a robust business plan will be a major boost to the credit-worthiness of the project and will make the raising of market debt a much easier task.

In the event of Welspun's bid not being found acceptable, GoK should immediately and aggressively try for an operator through the MoU route. With so many Governments showing interest, something under a G2G framework should be very possible.

A) There is no relation between Vizhinjam, a natural deep water harbor with minimal siltation and the port at Ernakulam, an estuarine port struggling with low draft and heavy littoral movement, other than that perhaps that they are ports in the same State.

B) The port operator's inputs are crucial in determining design aspects such as the operating draft, length of breakwaters, number and length of berths because all of these depend on the former's business plan.

C) The presence of a capable operator with a robust business plan will be a major boost to the credit-worthiness of the project and will make the raising of market debt a much easier task.

In the event of Welspun's bid not being found acceptable, GoK should immediately and aggressively try for an operator through the MoU route. With so many Governments showing interest, something under a G2G framework should be very possible.

+1 Indeed an operator automatically becomes a partner/consultant in development and that is extremely crucial for a massive one like Vizhinjam. Ideally, GoK must find an operator before the Environmental clearance is out, so that they could straight away plan on development. And a review of the efficiency of the current consultants is overdue.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7230/7271979506_a19a91884f_b.jpg

To be more specific- Thiruvananthapurathallayirunnenkil ithokke 25 varsham mumbe nadathiyenne.
Generally any good thing in Thiruvananthapuram is refered to as Keralathil.

Of the mentioned past 25 years, 4 years (between 2004-06 and 2011 till date) was ruled by Sri Ommen Chandy.Along with the previous LDF government between 2006-11 .Both sides has kept the matter on discussion atleast for elections.

But surprisingly,in this election all are keeping silent on this project.

Now they are focusing on some political murder in the North rather than developmental issues in Neyyatinkara and adjoining areas.

Why ?????

+1 Indeed an operator automatically becomes a partner/consultant in development and that is extremely crucial for a massive one like Vizhinjam. Ideally, GoK must find an operator before the Environmental clearance is out, so that they could straight away plan on development. And a review of the efficiency of the current consultants is overdue.

A) ICTT reference is only to highlight the unforeseen (many times knowingly hidden) difficulties during the execution stage. Dredging some 4 million cum sand above rocky sea bed, constructing breakwaters in 18 m waters, etc. is very challenging.

B)The Operator is responsible for installing/constructing superstructure above reclaimed land and port operations. Consultants to VISL have to decide the operating draft, breakwater length and section, etc. There are already Engineers of Kerala Govt, VISL, Consultants to VISL and Consultants to EPC contractor for the marine works component. More is not merrier in case of decision making, especially technical issues.

C)When there is certainty on tariff fixing policy and implementation say after 50% work completion, VISL will get a better offer than now.

A) ICTT reference is only to highlight the unforeseen (many times knowingly hidden) difficulties during the execution stage. Dredging some 4 million cum sand above rocky sea bed, constructing breakwaters in 18 m waters, etc. is very challenging.

Any major engineering project is more likely than not to have unexpected complications. However, such complications are less likely in the case of a well-conceived project built in naturally conducive location like Vizhinjam.

B)The Operator is responsible for installing/constructing superstructure above reclaimed land and port operations. Consultants to VISL have to decide the operating draft, breakwater length and section, etc. There are already Engineers of Kerala Govt, VISL, Consultants to VISL and Consultants to EPC contractor for the marine works component. More is not merrier in case of decision making, especially technical issues.


I believe you are confusing the operator's role here with that of an outsourced service provider such as a terminal operator. In this case, the operator is the key decision maker with respect to the business model of the port, such as what kind of ship sizes and cargo types will be handled at the port, which in turn determines such key parameters as operating draft and berth length. For example, an aggressive operator may decide to differentiate Vizhinjam by targeting 12,000+ TEU ships that need a 16 m operating draft. If the operator is kept out of the design loop, the port may start off with only 14 m of draft, which would undermine the operator's plans.

Often major infrastructure projects are designed only by the engineers, without inputs from experts on the business side, and end up failing miserably because they were good designs but not-so-good commercial prospects.

C)When there is certainty on tariff fixing policy and implementation say after 50% work completion, VISL will get a better offer than now.

As you may know, Vizhinjam lies outside the purview of TAMP, and the tariff structure will depend mostly on the business strategy of the operator, more than on the landlord. Once again, the attractiveness of the project to an operator depends on the commercial prospects not on whether it's under construction or not. The build-it-and-they-will-come philosophy will only be adopted by the foolhardy.

If VISL wants to learn the hard way, so be it. My remarks are based on my experience in executing many port projects in the west coast of India.

The proposed Port Regulatory Authority Bill 2011 covering all Major Ports, Non-major Ports and Private Ports is still under consideration. So there is uncertainty on the tariff fixing front.

My remarks are based on my experience in executing many port projects in the west coast of India.
We'd greatly appreciate your inputs, Mr Rao, given your experience. The thing is that this project's facing rather "unconventional" hurdles, not the usual technical or commercial ones that are faced by projects outside Kerala

The proposed Port Regulatory Authority Bill 2011 covering all Major Ports, Non-major Ports and Private Ports is still under consideration. So there is uncertainty on the tariff fixing front.
True, but that is likely to be in limbo for quite some time, and the States are not likely to let New Delhi grab control of their ports, which now account for over 40% of all maritime trade and will probably overtake the "major" ports in the near future.

To be more specific- Thiruvananthapurathallayirunnenkil ithokke 25 varsham mumbe nadathiyenne.
Generally any good thing in Thiruvananthapuram is refered to as Keralathil.

Of the mentioned past 25 years, 4 years (between 2004-06 and 2011 till date) was ruled by Sri Ommen Chandy.Along with the previous LDF government between 2006-11 .Both sides has kept the matter on discussion atleast for elections.

But surprisingly,in this election all are keeping silent on this project.

Now they are focusing on some political murder in the North rather than developmental issues in Neyyatinkara and adjoining areas.

Why ?????

yesterday i saw in amrita news that Our cheif minister addressing to neyyatinkara voters and telling we may go for retender as company is not accepting govt terms. Going forward with one tender is difficult so we may look for re tender...

so lets hope one moe year will go like this.....for tender - retender - security clearance-finacne clearance- defence clearance......

why in vizhinjam only CM is worried abt tendering ? why delhi metro is been given without any single tender ??? he only told if vizhinjam is in some other state it wud hv been a reality 25 yrs back....

its shame to hear from a CM and again he is not completely supporting the project ....if he is showing the will which shown towards smart city/metro project / high speed corridor vizhinjam will become a reality..

today our ports minister sad by october they will get the environmental clearance...again 4 more months extended after the environmental studies which will be completing in June 30th.

i think they all trying to extend the project to the maximum... i am not against udf but why they showing like this...

can we pressurise through FRAT / TDF / TRAC for speedy actions related with Vizhinjam... i think shashi tharoor chettan need to involve more in vizhinjam... ( appreciates his recent involvements in other areas such as NH deveopment, road development etc)

:bash::bash:

"
why in vizhinjam only CM is worried abt tendering ? why delhi metro is been given without any single tender ??? he only told if vizhinjam is in some other state it wud hv been a reality 25 yrs back....
"



Holy man from 'putupalli'!

http://www.mathrubhumi.com/online/malayalam/news/story/1629956/2012-05-30/kerala
വിഴിഞ്ഞം: സി.പി.എം നിലപാട് വ്യക്തമാക്കണം - മന്ത്രി ബാബു | 30 May 2012
തിരുവനന്തപുരം: വിഴിഞ്ഞം അന്താരാഷ്ട്ര തുറമുഖപദ്ധതിക്കായി വീണ്ടും റീടെന്*ഡര്* ക്ഷണിക്കുന്നതിനെ എതിര്*ക്കുന്ന സി.പി.എം 479.54 കോടി രൂപ സര്*ക്കാര്* ഗ്രാന്*ഡ് നല്*കണമെന്ന വെല്*സ്​പണിന്റെ ആവശ്യം അംഗീകരിക്കുന്നുണ്ടോയെന്ന് വ്യക്തമാക്കണമെന്ന് മന്ത്രി കെ.ബാബു പ്രസ്താവനയില്* ആവശ്യപ്പെട്ടു.
വെല്*സ്​പണ്* കമ്പനിയുടെ ബിഡ് സെക്രട്ടറിമാരടങ്ങുന്ന ഉന്നതതലസമിതി പരിശോധിച്ചുവരികയാണ്. ഇതനുസരിച്ചുള്ള പുതിയ ടേംസ് ഓഫ് റഫറന്*സ് പ്രകാരം ഒരു വര്*ഷം നീണ്ടുനില്*ക്കുന്ന (മൂന്ന് സീസണുകളിലായി) വിശദമായ പഠനം എല്*. ആന്*ഡ് ടി റാംബോള്* എന്ന കമ്പനിയും തുറമുഖത്തിന്റെ ഉപദേശകരായ ഐ.എഫ്.സിക്കുവേണ്ടി ഏഷ്യന്* കണ്*സള്*ട്ടിങ് എന്*ജിനിയേഴ്*സും നടത്തിക്കൊണ്ടിരിക്കുകയാണ്. 2012 ആഗസ്തില്* പബ്ലിക് ഹിയറിങ് നടത്താമെന്നാണ് പ്രതീക്ഷ. 2012 ഒക്ടോബറില്* പാരിസ്ഥിതിക അനുമതി ലഭ്യമാക്കാനാണ് സര്*ക്കാര്* ശ്രമിക്കുന്നത്.
4010 കോടി രൂപ ചെലവ് പ്രതീക്ഷിക്കുന്ന പദ്ധതിക്ക് പാരിസ്ഥിതിക അനുമതി ലഭിച്ചതിനുശേഷം മാത്രമേ തുറമുഖത്തിന്റെ നിര്*മാണപ്രവര്*ത്തനങ്ങള്* ആരംഭിക്കാന്* സാധിക്കുകയുള്ളുവെങ്കിലും സമാന്തരമായുള്ള അടിസ്ഥാന സൗകര്യവികസന പ്രവര്*ത്തനങ്ങള്* ദ്രുതഗതിയില്* നടന്നുവരികയാണ്. റെയില്*വേയ്ക്ക് ആവശ്യമായ ഭൂമി അലൈന്*മെന്റിന്റെ കാര്യത്തില്* അന്തിമ തീര്*പ്പ് ആയതിനുശേഷം ആരംഭിക്കും. പദ്ധതിക്കാവശ്യമായ വൈദ്യുതി ലഭ്യമാക്കുന്നതിനുള്ള 220 കെ.വി.ലൈന്* വിഴിഞ്ഞം സബ്*സ്റ്റേഷനില്* നിര്*മിക്കാന്* തീരുമാനമായി. പദ്ധതിയിലേക്ക് എന്*.എച്ച്. 47 ബൈപ്പാസില്*നിന്നുള്ള അപ്രോച്ച് റോഡിനാവശ്യമായ സ്ഥലം ഏറ്റെടുത്തുകഴിഞ്ഞു. എന്*.എച്ച്. 47 കോവളം-കാരോട് ബൈപ്പാസ്സിന്റെ നിര്*മാണ പ്രവര്*ത്തനങ്ങള്* കഴിഞ്ഞതിനുശേഷം മാത്രമേ അപ്രോച്ച് റോഡിന്റെ നിര്*മാണം ആരംഭിക്കാന്* സാധിക്കുകയുള്ളൂവെന്നും മന്ത്രി കെ.ബാബു പറഞ്ഞു.
=========================================
- minister babu asks CPM whether they agree with Welspun demand for grant Rs 479 crore.
- Welspun bid being studied by secretaries.
- As per new terms of reference, Detailed study by L& T ramboll & Asian consulting engineers ongoing.
- Public hearing August 2012
- Expect env clearance Oct 2012
- Work can begin only after env clearance, parallel work on support infrastructure begun.
- Rail alignment being finalised.
- 220kv substation @ Vizhinjam for this project.
- LA for approach road completed.
- Approach road work can begin only after NH bypass Kovalam-Karode completed.

As all of you are aware the Social Impact Assessment study done by VISL as part of MoEF EIA is going-on. The representatives of all the concerned consultants were present giving clarifications on the concerns raised by us as well as receiving suggestions from our end. They social impact data sampling is over, which is 13% more than the normal sampling set defined for such studies. The entire process is expected to finish by June 30th. As far as EIA study is concerned things are moving in the right direction in a speedy manner. Other details include

1. The current tender will be rejected in all probability.

2. Wht nxt? Re-tender...

3. Singapore, Germany and many other foreign representatives held discussions with VISL, but yet to receive any solid proposal through the proper channel ....i.e. none of the Govt has responded and hence VISL is in a fix.

4. Rail alignment revised which would bring down the rehabilitation of 420 households to 15 which is great, eventhough it has severe effect on the livelihood of fishermen community, AECOM to address this technically.

Now to some alarming facts about the project.

1. The resort lobby is spending money in "CRORES" to torpedo this project.

2. They challenged us and said this project is not going to come. We will make sure that this project is not cleared by center; so whatever "kasarthu" you do it here in Kerala will have no value when the final reports reach New Delhi.

3. They have created a panel including retired officers and consultants to counter VISL. They are well prepared with required documents, ppts, video interviews, comparison charts and so on. Already their representatives have visited New Delhi and they had given a presentation on why this project should be restricted.

4. A representative of the resort [confident due to the Cyriac machan machan bandham], to be the most affected, commented, VISL needs to construct a separate link road to connect all the resorts in the nearby areas with the newly constructed road otherwise there won’t be much use since we are sure this project is not going to come up. Let the road be useful at least to the tourists and resort owners.

It is high time for us to re-group, volunteer and fight this out on grounds rather than blaming the authorities.

Please find the current status of each component in the project and other details. http://www.tribiz.in/News_And_Events.html

^^ - The blame squarely lies on the shoulders of the Government. Vested interests will always work for their narrow aims, it's up to the Government to work for the public good. It's not as if this Government cannot do that in the case of projects in which it has capital, interests, political or otherwise.

This is why having an operator on board is all the more critical, because it can counter any "lobbies" with any and all means possible.

On a lighter note, it would have been very interesting to capture these elements casting out their challenge on candid camera. Would have made quite a sting, lol! :lol:

Perhaps, it's best to file a PIL alleging a conspiracy against the project and urging the Government to order a Vigilance investigation into such campaigns which have been very evident and have apparently seen significant cash flow.

The Vizhinjam Port Strategic Option Report of IFC states as under:

With the help of IFC’s legal consultants, the following project structures were assessed:

a) Landlord Model
b) Modified Landlord Model
c) Private Services Model
d) Modified Private Services Model
e) Joint Venture Model

These models have been explained in detail in the chapter on Transaction Structuring. Considering the various risks, the Modified Landlord model, in which the bidder for the concession for the supra-structure is also required to bid for EPC for civil infrastructure, is not preferred. This could potentially result in gaming in the bid by construction companies who could potentially bid high for EPC for civil infrastructure and low for supra-structure concession. They could possibly then have no incentive to continue with the project once the construction is over.

Both the partners of the lone bidder consortium are just construction companies with no Container Terminal Operation experience. It will be interesting to know how this consortium was qualified for RFP. If EPC Contract is awarded to them. what is the guarantee that they will continue with the project as feared by IFC.

It appears that the Conspiracy phobia of neo-communist Mamata Didi is spreading fast. If there is potential in VISL, no lobby can stop it. There was allegation that transport lobby was stalling Konkan Railway project. Today both the KR and transport business are flourishing. If VISL comes up, it will benefit the resort owners first.

the whole crap happening again and again with all the lobbies and third rate politicians :gaah:. What can we do to make the VISL dream project happen??? We TVM people must do something, we must act :master:

Both the partners of the lone bidder consortium are just construction companies with no Container Terminal Operation experience. It will be interesting to know how this consortium was qualified for RFP. If EPC Contract is awarded to them. what is the guarantee that they will continue with the project as feared by IFC.

A deeper dive into the 800-odd pages of the bid support documents and the actual RFQ/RFP documents will reveal that there is a condition that the bidders only need to give an undertaking to bring on board a qualified container terminal operator within 60 days of being notified of award of bid.

For a contractor, the attraction is that if they get the operations bid there is a provision under which they get first-right-of-refusal for the EPC contract if they are within 10-15% of the lowest bid and are willing to match that bid.

One may suspect on going through the documents prepared by IFC and its sub-consultants that there was an attempt in favor of a particular party to drive away other bidders by trivializing the attractiveness of the project. With my limited infrastructure and PPP experience, I had attempted to analyze the areas that the study had failed to account for, in this article (http://tvmrising.blogspot.com/2011/08/vizhinjam-doubting-thomases-listen-up.html). Your feedback will be greatly appreciated by PM or on my blog. Thanks!

I was not able to google out RFQ/RFP documents. But the condition that the successful bidder should bring in operator in 60 days of award is shocking. Then what was the qualification criteria in RFQ? Was it just fabrication and erection experience or being agent to some Port Operator?

Now coming to your earlier justification for need of a Operator during EPC Contract execution. How this Consortium with zero experience in port operations will help GoK in Business Plan or Master Plan?

I was not able to google out RFQ/RFP documents. But the condition that the successful bidder should bring in operator in 60 days of award is shocking. Then what was the qualification criteria in RFQ? Was it just fabrication and erection experience or being agent to some Port Operator?

You guess is as good as mine on that count. Btw, the RFQ/RFP documents are not in the public domain.

Now coming to your earlier justification for need of a Operator during EPC Contract execution. How this Consortium with zero experience in port operations will help GoK in Business Plan or Master Plan?

My point was for the need to have A qualified operator, not THIS operator. Moreover, if this consortium received the LoA, then they will have to bring on board an operator to receive the rights to operation, and then the combined entity's business plan will be a critical input to the port development plan. I hope that is clear?

I am no expert on these matters, but according to what I understand Welspun have to put in around Rs:1100 crores in superstructure before the question of Kerala Gov. paying Rs:30 cr per year as operational assistance arises. Moreover a percentage of EPC contract money will be paid only after the operator builds up a part of super-structure (In the event of Welspun winning EPC bid also). I do not think the margin of profit from RS:3000 cr EPC contract can offset for the 1100 cr they have to put in superstructure.

Wouldn't it be sufficient if Kerala Government can further tighten the written agreement to prevent operator abandonment with heavy penalty against such a move (may be ask them to prepay 30-40% amount as a guarantee etc.). I think Government is entitled to modify bid terms at any stage if it is in State's interest.

I would rather like Gov. to push forward with this bid even if it is 'Glass Half Full'; rather than seeing it as 'Half Empty'. A certain amount of give & take may be necessary for any agreement- particularly for a Greenfield investment like Vizhinjam where we are beginning from Scratch. My opinion only.

The Strategic Option Report gives a very gloomy prospect for VISL. It states that depending on only Transshipment cargo is a very risky model in today's economical scenario.

GoK should create a conducive industrial climate and better connectivity in the region for higher EXIM cargo also. All state governments and private ports shall jointly lobby with government on clarity of proposed Port Regulatory Bill 2011 also.

The cabotage restrictions also will not be diluted easily. The justification for these cabotage laws is that the domestic shipping companies/ships benefit the country by ensuring that the country has a large fleet of ships when it needs it, and that it would not be possible without the assurance of cabotage restrictions. ICTT Kochi is not able to get even a temporary reprieve after more than a year of operation. According to me this a secondary issue if you are providing a world class facility and competitive pricing.

So GoK can discharge this tender and go ahead with EPC tender. AECOM should examine curtailing breakwater, dredging and reclamation scope to the barest minimum for Phase 1. This will take 4-5 years by which situation will improve and GoK can benefit by opting for a real port operator on board.

The Strategic Option Report gives a very gloomy prospect for VISL. It states that depending on only Transshipment cargo is a very risky model in today's economical scenario.

Precisely the point, the Drewery report is extremely pessimistic even when compared to the Ramboll report prepared a few years ago even as the economic scenario in the region remains the same, if not better. The report also downplays obvious sources of traffic like fuel (coal/LNG) import.

ICTT Kochi is not able to get even a temporary reprieve after more than a year of operation. According to me this a secondary issue if you are providing a world class facility and competitive pricing.

Spot on. With its best-in-class depth and minimal maintenance dredging expenses, Vizhinjam can offer both of these. Blaming everything on the Cabotage Act when a competitive facility cannot be provided is just looking for an excuse.

So GoK can discharge this tender and go ahead with EPC tender. AECOM should examine curtailing breakwater, dredging and reclamation scope to the barest minimum for Phase 1. This will take 4-5 years by which situation will improve and GoK can benefit by opting for a real port operator on board.

You are playing exactly into the hands of the folks who would love to see the project never achieve its full potential. Instead of developing the port to its full potential such as a draft of 18 m and an optimally sized basin and breakwater, the port will never offer a differentiated capability that can compete with the likes of Colombo and thus attract a world-class operator and major shipping lines. In this case, there is a binary choice, either be a run-of-the-mill port and never attract a critical mass of cargo, or go in for the investment required to create a world-class facility that can jostle its way to the top among the crowd of existing ports.

Of course, those ports would dearly love to see a potential challenger that they could never hope to match bite the dust before it even gets going.

The Strategic Option Report gives a very gloomy prospect for VISL. It states that depending on only Transshipment cargo is a very risky model in today's economical scenario.

GoK should create a conducive industrial climate and better connectivity in the region for higher EXIM cargo also. All state governments and private ports shall jointly lobby with government on clarity of proposed Port Regulatory Bill 2011 also.

The cabotage restrictions also will not be diluted easily. The justification for these cabotage laws is that the domestic shipping companies/ships benefit the country by ensuring that the country has a large fleet of ships when it needs it, and that it would not be possible without the assurance of cabotage restrictions. ICTT Kochi is not able to get even a temporary reprieve after more than a year of operation. According to me this a secondary issue if you are providing a world class facility and competitive pricing.

So GoK can discharge this tender and go ahead with EPC tender. AECOM should examine curtailing breakwater, dredging and reclamation scope to the barest minimum for Phase 1. This will take 4-5 years by which situation will improve and GoK can benefit by opting for a real port operator on board.

Trivandrum has some inherent advantages of its own.
If these people do a feasiblility study for a Rocket Centre,they may tell that it is not at all feasible.
But,the success of Indian Space Program is because of inherent advantage of trivandrum.
....Atomic Power,Missile technology,...could not fare better eventhough central government gave equal funding.

If a strategic feasibility study is conducted by any company to prove the wealth of Padmanabha Swamy Temple,...he will end up in wrong conclusion as happened to the British.Still,the truth is that it is the richest temple guarded by God himself for centuries till date (god only knows the future of it).

Vizhinjam project
He said that norms specified by the Central Vigilance Commission were being followed for award of the tender for the Vizhinjam International Transhipment Terminal as only one approved tender was there for consideration. However, there was enough time for calling fresh tenders as the environmental impact study would take 18 months to complete. The basic infrastructure for the project was under consideration.



http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article3477457.ece

Precisely the point, the Drewery report is extremely pessimistic even when compared to the Ramboll report prepared a few years ago even as the economic scenario in the region remains the same, if not better. The report also downplays obvious sources of traffic like fuel (coal/LNG) import.



Spot on. With its best-in-class depth and minimal maintenance dredging expenses, Vizhinjam can offer both of these. Blaming everything on the Cabotage Act when a competitive facility cannot be provided is just looking for an excuse.



You are playing exactly into the hands of the folks who would love to see the project never achieve its full potential. Instead of developing the port to its full potential such as a draft of 18 m and an optimally sized basin and breakwater, the port will never offer a differentiated capability that can compete with the likes of Colombo and thus attract a world-class operator and major shipping lines. In this case, there is a binary choice, either be a run-of-the-mill port and never attract a critical mass of cargo, or go in for the investment required to create a world-class facility that can jostle its way to the top among the crowd of existing ports.

Of course, those ports would dearly love to see a potential challenger that they could never hope to match bite the dust before it even gets going.
I did not advise for downsizing the Phase 1 Capacity. I see opportunity for AECOM to reduce the scope of marine works for the same capacity and commission the port in lesser time. The Phase 2 & 3 expansion can be advanced when traffic starts picking up.

As per this old report, a BOT port project like Vizhinjam maynot come under CVC purview..

http://www.livemint.com/2010/06/21203232/Govt-CVC-rule-on-single-bids.html?atype=tp
Govt: CVC rule on single bids doesn’t apply to port projects | Jun 22 2010
Restrictions set by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) on government departments and state-owned firms accepting single bids do not apply to port privatization contracts, the shipping ministry has said.

“In the case of BOT port projects, the government is not buying anything nor are we paying anything. So the CVC guidelines on single bids will not be applicable in this case,” Srivastava said, adding that the ministry will soon make a policy announcement on this.
======================================================

An example of lone bidder approved for another port project in past..
http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2010-06-18/news/27578061_1_single-bid-bidding-process-price-bid
Govt to approve lone bidder for Ennore container terminal | Jun 18, 2010
MUMBAI: The government has decided to approve the lone price bid that was submitted in the final round of the open tender process called to select a company to operate the container terminal at Ennore in Tamil Nadu.

The final bid for the rights to operate the container terminal will be examined in a day or two, a senior government official told ET. "There is no rule that says that a single bid be discharged," joint secretary for ports Rakesh Srivastava said over the telephone from Delhi.
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It seems as if Chandy is not serious about this project. Or it may be the vested interests.. His words seem very unclear - not even a general time frame or plan about when the government will begin the project.

How bad for the future of the project will a retender be? Can someone clarify?


http://www.ndtv.com/article/south/chandy-does-not-rule-out-re-tender-for-vizhinjam-project-221208

Chandy does not rule out re-tender for Vizhinjam project

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has not ruled out the possibility of the government going for re-tender to select port operator for the upcoming Vizhinjam Deepsea International Container Terminal Port in Thiruvananthapuram.

"The government is moving ahead with the project in such a manner that it would not be delayed even if government had to go for re-tender," he told reportersin Thiruvananthapuram.

The Chief Minister, however, added that discussions were on with Mumbai-based Welspun consortium - the sole bidder remaining when the tender was floated.

The group had asked for a grant of Rs. 421 crore as part of the contract. The government has to follow certain guidelines in view of the sole bidder, he said.

Further, the minister said that the environment impact study on the Rs. 4,010 crore project has started. The study has to be undertaken in all the three seasons and it would take 18 months for completion.

On the other mega-project underway in the state, Oommen Chandy said construction work of the main building of SmartCity IT park, promoted jointly with Dubai based TECOM investments, would begin on June 9.

The building, at an estimated cost of Rs. 600 crore, would be completed and first stage of the IT park commissioned by 18 months, he said.

Also, works connected with the Kochi metro has already started and only a technical clearance from the Centre has to be received for the project.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, executing the project, had been given a target to complete the Kochi-Metro work in three years, he said.

"Further, the minister said that the environment impact study on the Rs. 4,010 crore project has started. The study has to be undertaken in all the three seasons and it would take 18 months for completion."


The 'Environmental studies' is supposed to be over by this month. By reading the above statement, one is supposed to realize that 18 months are 'further' required! And that is the reason why a re-tendering is not a 'problem' for another 3 years, lol!:nuts:

On the other mega-project underway in the state, Oommen Chandy said construction work of the main building of SmartCity IT park, promoted jointly with Dubai based TECOM investments, would begin on June 9.

The building, at an estimated cost of Rs. 600 crore, would be completed and first stage of the IT park commissioned by 18 months, he said.

Also, works connected with the Kochi metro has already started and only a technical clearance from the Centre has to be received for the project.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, executing the project, had been given a target to complete the Kochi-Metro work in three years, he said.

He seems to be so interested in these projects. But why don't know why the hell he is ignoring this mega project. Is it because its in Trivandrum?

"Further, the minister said that the environment impact study on the Rs. 4,010 crore project has started. The study has to be undertaken in all the three seasons and it would take 18 months for completion."


The 'Environmental studies' is supposed to be over by this month. By reading the above statement, one is supposed to realize that 18 months are 'further' required! And that is the reason why a re-tendering is not a 'problem' for another 3 years, lol!:nuts:

The 18 months period is from June 2011 when the ToR for EIA study was approved by MoEF. VISL website states that the studies are on and will be complete by September 2012. Then the State Pollution Control Board will conduct Public Hearing. A final report will again go to MoEF afterwhich Environmental Clearance will be granted. This is expected by end 2012 or early 2013.^^

Perhaps, it's best to file a PIL alleging a conspiracy against the project and urging the Government to order a Vigilance investigation into such campaigns which have been very evident and have apparently seen significant cash flow.

+1.

Add to that the MLAs and MPs, who were elected by people wanting Vizhinjam port, as mentioned in their poll manifesto. So CM and ministers of UDF are bound to honour & abide by its mainfesto to implement Vizhinjam port in time bound manner.

Any lobby who is against the port project must realise they are a tiny minority only & any campaign against the project maybe considered as against the will of people of this region. These lobbies atmost may succeed in delaying the project as we are seeing now..

"These lobbies atmost may succeed in delaying the project as we are seeing now.. "



And only they can 'delay' this project but not stop it from becoming any time. But seems, they are successful in delaying it.

"These lobbies atmost may succeed in delaying the project as we are seeing now.. "



And only they can 'delay' this project but not stop it from becoming any time. But seems, they are successful in delaying it.

I hope this is true, but it seems as if delaying is quite easy. Once the present government goes out of power, the responsibility of carrying this project out will go to the next government. And so on delaying indefinitely. But definitely, it seems as if the political will is here - the opposition is not against the project either.

On the other hand, one factor in favor of the project i think, is that whichever government succeeds in actually beginning this project can claim bragging rights. This might be very important for winning elections.

I think this sort of mentality may be behind the high speed rail project. If the project actually takes off, then the present government can claim a major achievement for the next elections.

^^ - Let's not clutter this thread with talk about white elephants, shall we?

Well cum Pump House Site for Water Supply Scheme to Vizhinjam Transhipment Terminal.

http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/638/img0681oqu.jpg

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/8355/img0680r.jpg

http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/1346/img0684ji.jpg

Shot Using Canon PowerShot SX40 HS (http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/319/canonpssx40hs.jpg) on 02.06.2012

Laying of Pipeline also started from the Pump House Location towards Vizhinjam.:cheers:

http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/4439/img0685dm.jpg

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/3678/img0688fi.jpg

Shot Using Canon PowerShot SX40 HS (http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/319/canonpssx40hs.jpg) on 02.06.2012

^^

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http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/3328/img0690ep.jpg

Shot Using Canon PowerShot SX40 HS (http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/319/canonpssx40hs.jpg) on 02.06.2012

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EIA to be completed by month-end
(http://newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/article541147.ece)

The State Government may have not found a private partner for the Vizhinjam seaport project yet, but a major work required for the Government to float the global tenders for the construction of the port is expected to be completed this month-end.

Ports Minister K Babu told the Assembly in a written reply on Monday that the environment-impact assessment (EIA) at the project site will be completed by June 30. The basic infrastructure for the port will be ready by 2015, he said. Steps are underway to get financial assistance for the Phase I of the project, he said.

If things go as planned, the consortium of banks will provide R 300 crore and financial firms such as HUDCO and LIC, another Rs 800 crore. Of the Rs 4,010 crore needed for Phase I, the State has to raise ` 3,040 crore.

The work on a 600-metre ‘temporary road’ to the port site has entered the final phase. During 2011-12, the State Government spent Rs 197.85 crore on various preliminary works of this project. Though Rs 223.68 crore was earmarked in the current budget, the money has not been touched. In all, 85.30 acres of the 110.47 acres required for the back-up area, road connectivity and truck terminal have been acquired.

Thus far, the State Government has been unable to decide on whether to accept the offer made by the consortium led by the Welspun group. The consortium, in February, had demanded a grant of Rs 479.54 crore from the State over 16 years for running the port on a lease.

Subsequently, the Government, through a bid negotiation committee, had conducted two discussions to bring the amount down. Welspun agreed to slash the amount only by Rs 20.05 crore. It was ready to slash it further by another ` 21 crore if it won the construction contract as well. This offer has been unacceptable to the government.

According to the Ports Minister, the Government was still looking into the recommendation of the empowered committee on the Welspun offer.

There is an editorial in Kerala kaumudi about Smart City. But they have used around one- third of article highlighting injustice against Vizhinjam project. It is heartening to see that newspapers are giving more importance to Vizhinjam now.

http://news.keralakaumudi.com/news.php?nid=b7bd4ac55ad2699f5a98ce8ddbaa3c33

Another red flag underlining the urgency for world-class facilities like Vizhinjam....

India's logistics performance index reflects some weaknesses in the logistics system. In the index, which was prepared by the World Bank, India slipped in ranking, said the Union Shipping Minister, Mr G.K. Vasan.

In 2012, India was ranked 46th compared to 39th five years ago.“We should strive to improve the LPI through a systematic intervention on key issues,” he said at a seminar.

Logistics cost in India is at 13-14 per cent of the gross domestic product compared to 7-8 per cent in developed countries, he said.

The pace, at which infrastructure development has happened, compared to the growth in freight traffic, has been rather slow. This acts as a bottleneck and drags growth.


Source (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article3519542.ece)

A port like Vizhinjam can accommodate the biggest ships afloat including Maersk's E-class and Triple-E class ships that can slash cargo costs by 20%. Very few other Indian ports can manage this.

Another red flag underlining the urgency for world-class facilities like Vizhinjam....



Source (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article3519542.ece)

A port like Vizhinjam can accommodate the biggest ships afloat including Maersk's E-class and Triple-E class ships that can slash cargo costs by 20%. Very few other Indian ports can manage this.

Don't expect that india will become a developed nation in next fifty years.
It took looong 50 years to decide whether to carry out Envir-error-on-meant( Envi(envy)-error(full of errors)-on-meant(meant to help someone else)) Impact Assessment study.Heard that several people will be awarded doctorate for this study.

People should learn from China where the majority of best 20 ports in the world are located,each helping the other port and lifting China as the world superpower.---Shanghai,Zhoushan,Tiangin,Ghanzhou,Quingdao,Hongkong,Shenzen,Dalian,Rizhao and Quinhuandao put together handles over 4500 million(10 times India's Total Cargo Handled in 2005-6) Tons Cargo each year.

List of ports in China (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ports_in_China)
Ports in China (http://english.gov.cn/2006-02/08/content_182525.htm)

India,even though has less than one tenth the number of ports and each one handling a fraction of the cargo,still is pulling each other's toe.

Ports in India (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ports_in_India)
Failure to start Vizhinjam project should be viewed as failure of govt. machinery to develop the nation.

http://www.mathrubhumi.com/online/malayalam/news/story/1664932/2012-06-18/kerala

Welspun ready to re-negotiate..

Hope GoK and Welspun strike it this time & end the delay any further..

^^

Interested in reopening talks, says Welspun (http://newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/article545825.ece)

The Welspun group has written to the State Government saying it was interested in reopening dialogue for the post of port operator’s post at the proposed Vizhinjam international container transshipment terminal.

The proposal has come at a time when talks between the State Government and Welspun to get the grant amount demanded by the latter reduced had reached a dead-end. The Government received the letter last week, but said that it was vague and quite insufficient to reopen talks. It is understood that the government’s stand has been conveyed to Welspun.

Welspun had informed the government of its readiness for dialogue wherein the ‘areas of concern’ can be discussed. It does not contain any specific proposal, port officials said.

After it emerged the sole bidder for the project, the consortium of Welspun Infratech, Welspun Corp and Welspun-Leighton had demanded a grant of ` 479.54 crore spread over a period of 16 years.

Following two talks with the bid negotiation committee, Welspun had agreed to reduce the amount only by ` 20.05 crore. It said a further ` 21 crore can be reduced if it also bagged the port construction tenders. This has not been acceptable to the government.

^^

Interested in reopening talks, says Welspun (http://newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/article545825.ece)

The Welspun group has written to the State Government saying it was interested in reopening dialogue for the post of port operator’s post at the proposed Vizhinjam international container transshipment terminal.

The proposal has come at a time when talks between the State Government and Welspun to get the grant amount demanded by the latter reduced had reached a dead-end. The Government received the letter last week, but said that it was vague and quite insufficient to reopen talks. It is understood that the government’s stand has been conveyed to Welspun.

Welspun had informed the government of its readiness for dialogue wherein the ‘areas of concern’ can be discussed. It does not contain any specific proposal, port officials said.

After it emerged the sole bidder for the project, the consortium of Welspun Infratech, Welspun Corp and Welspun-Leighton had demanded a grant of ` 479.54 crore spread over a period of 16 years.

Following two talks with the bid negotiation committee, Welspun had agreed to reduce the amount only by ` 20.05 crore. It said a further ` 21 crore can be reduced if it also bagged the port construction tenders. This has not been acceptable to the government.

Tax Exemption / Tax Fee Port for initial few years is another option,which government can consider.

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/5287/vzmmv.jpg

Source: Metro Vaartha

ANIL THAMBY - Anyone remember this name ?

http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/localContentView.do?tabId=16&contentId=11816917&district=Thiruvananthapuram&programId=1079897613&BV_ID=@@@

ANIL THAMBY - Anyone remember this name ?

http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/localContentView.do?tabId=16&contentId=11816917&district=Thiruvananthapuram&programId=1079897613&BV_ID=@@@

Pinneee..Nammal marannalum annan marakkilla ennu namukkariyam..Zooooooooooom :)

Pinneee..Nammal marannalum annan marakkilla ennu namukkariyam..Zooooooooooom :)

Thallee odukkathe memory . Ini Welspunum Binami aano ?:cheers:

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/8937/vzmmm.jpg

Source: Malayala Manorama

Now its the turn of Resort Lobby ! (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/Vizhinjam-project-sends-tourism-industry-into-a-tizzy/articleshow/14350661.cms)

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government's move to speed up the Rs 6,595-crore Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport seems to be creating anxious moments for the 31 resorts in the vicinity of the project site.

Members of Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association (KHRA) and the South Kerala Hotel Federation (SKHF) say the project is likely to dent the tourism prospects of Kovalam, which is just 2km away from the project site.

Data show that the state capital accounts for 30.95% of the total foreign tourist arrivals in the state. Almost all of these tourists also visit the Kovalam beach and about 90% of them stay there for a day or two.

KHRA members say the ecological impact of dredging, underwater blasting and other port construction activities would adversely impact the beach. Last month, the representatives of KHRA and SKHF had met chief minister and the port minister to apprise them of their concern.

In a letter submitted to the port minister, the associations cited the case of Poonthura beach to point out that high erosion could destroy the coastline.

"Quarry waste will need to be transported through sea barges along the coast to the Vizhinjam area. The movement of these vessels will pollute the ecology and increase the oil waste. This will make the beach unsuitable for swimming. These impacts are well established in ports in Mumbai, Puducherry, and, most importantly, Kochi. Overall a severe negative impact is expected on Kovalam beach," the letter noted.

Representatives of the tourism trade in the state capital said more than 3,100 direct jobs in the tourism sector will be lost in the port area of Vizhinjam.

Meanwhile, tourism minister A P Anil Kumar, in an effort to allay fears among various tourism stakeholders, said that the port should be built without impacting the sector. But he was quick to add that the Vizhinjam port is a dream project of the state government. "But the concerns of the tourism sector can be taken up with the ports minister and the chief minister," he said.

The tourism sector operators say that the government should protect them as it is a non-polluting sector. "We are not against the project. But tourism is already a well-established sector. The government should take this into account. We fear that jobs will be lost if the industry suffers," said Dileep P M, general manager of a Vizhinjam-based resort.

^^ - Couple of points for the resort owners to note:

A) Other than minimal suspended particle volumes during the dredging and reclamation phase, there is unlikely to be much pollution impact. If they are so worried about oil discharges from the construction vessels, then the fact that 1/3 of the world's crude traffic passes a few nautical miles off the shore should be the main worry for them.

B) A full-fledged cruise terminal at the port, given its proximity to the international shipping lanes, could bring in as many as 60 ships and up to 60,000 tourists a year, which is roughly 1/3 of the total tourist traffic that Trivandrum currently receives.

This sounds like just another ill-informed protest. I remember one gentleman who said that the reclamation would raise sea-levels and drown people! :lol:

‘GVK Ind game to bid if Vizhinjam project goes for re-tender’
GVK Industries would be open to evaluating the opportunity if proposed Vizhinjam port project were to go for a re-tender. “We would be interested in a port project on the west coast of India,” Mr G.V. Sanjay Reddy, Vice-Chairman - GVK Industries, told Business Line here.

He said in this in the specific context of the State government having not ruled out the possibility of a re-tender for the Vizhinjam project. The Kerala Chief Minister, Mr Oommen Chandy, had said that the Government would ensure that a re-tender, if at all, would not delay the port and container terminal project. Earlier, a Welspun Group-led consortium, the single bidder, had agreed to bring down the grant amount by Rs 20 crore from the Rs 479 crore it had earlier sought. The consortium is reportedly willing to scale it down by another Rs 20 crore if it goes on to win the EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) contract as well.

“As long as the project is viable and as long as there is potential and if it aligns with our interests, we’ll definitely look at it,” Mr Reddy said

from businessline
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article3569674.ece

^^
ie; re-tendering is almost sure?

^^
ie; re-tendering is almost sure?

Easy way out to indefinitely delay the project, this Government seems to have little interest in anything else.

The well planned script is out as discussed some of us sometimes back.No wonder it is exactly the same.:)

‘Vizhinjam project will harm fishermen’ (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/Vizhinjam-project-will-harm-fishermen/articleshow/14400672.cms)

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Thiruvananthapuram Latin Catholic Archdiocese has come out against the environmental impact assessment (EIA) study for the Vizhinjam International Container Trans-shipment Terminal, saying the lives of 20,000 fishermen will be directly affected.

"People are eagerly awaiting port development, but the social, environmental and livelihood concerns of the fishermen in Vizhinjam must be adequately addressed. I have studied the impact of fishing harbours in Colachel, Tengapattanam, etc. and found that there was massive erosion towards the north of the harbour and accretion in the south, which means the port will render the lives of fishermen in and around Vizhinjam area useless. Poonthura fishing village will most likely disappear," vicar general Eugene H Pereira told TOI.

The vicar general said he spoke to the minister for ports K Babu, who promised him that the concerns of the fishermen and the ecology of the region would be duly noted. "I met with the consultants who are preparing the EIA two weeks ago and I am sorry to say but, I feel they are going about it in a very unscientific manner. Interviewing people should only be a footnote of the EIA study and not the basis of it," he said.

His fears are not without substance, as form 1 and terms of reference prepared by L&T Rambol submitted to the expert appraisal committee in April 2011 has omitted factual data pertaining to the presence of endangered species (Olive Ridley, Leatherback turtle, etc.) at Vizhinjam and failed to mention the areas exceeding legally permissible pollution levels.

^^ - Wonder when they started teaching Marine Engineering and Marine Biology at the seminary?!!

The well planned script is out as discussed some of us sometimes back.No wonder it is exactly the same.:)

‘Vizhinjam project will harm fishermen’ (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/Vizhinjam-project-will-harm-fishermen/articleshow/14400672.cms)

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Thiruvananthapuram Latin Catholic Archdiocese has come out against the environmental impact assessment (EIA) study for the Vizhinjam International Container Trans-shipment Terminal, saying the lives of 20,000 fishermen will be directly affected.

"People are eagerly awaiting port development, but the social, environmental and livelihood concerns of the fishermen in Vizhinjam must be adequately addressed. I have studied the impact of fishing harbours in Colachel, Tengapattanam, etc. and found that there was massive erosion towards the north of the harbour and accretion in the south, which means the port will render the lives of fishermen in and around Vizhinjam area useless. Poonthura fishing village will most likely disappear," vicar general Eugene H Pereira told TOI.

The vicar general said he spoke to the minister for ports K Babu, who promised him that the concerns of the fishermen and the ecology of the region would be duly noted. "I met with the consultants who are preparing the EIA two weeks ago and I am sorry to say but, I feel they are going about it in a very unscientific manner. Interviewing people should only be a footnote of the EIA study and not the basis of it," he said.

His fears are not without substance, as form 1 and terms of reference prepared by L&T Rambol submitted to the expert appraisal committee in April 2011 has omitted factual data pertaining to the presence of endangered species (Olive Ridley, Leatherback turtle, etc.) at Vizhinjam and failed to mention the areas exceeding legally permissible pollution levels.

Won't this affect other ports in Kerala ????
Or is it specifically biased against Vizhinjam ??

It seems that the approach road to the port is almost ready!

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r507/Ziyann/IMAG1060.jpg

Could click only one pic, as i was travelling in a bus!

1-year environmental impact study on Vizhinjam near-completion

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/multimedia/dynamic/01125/port_jpg_1125602f.jpg

Thiruvananthapuram, June 26: Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) on the proposed Vizhinjam international port and container transhipment terminal project is expected to be completed by June 30.

The terms of reference were approved on July 1 last year. L&T Ramboll consortium and Asian Consulting Engineers have been carrying out the multi-season study.

TO BE PUBLISHED
Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL), the special purpose vehicle implementing the project, would proceed to publish the report on the Web site. Subsequently, it will approach the Union Government approval, sources in the State Government said.

Meanwhile, Aecom Ltd, Management Consultants, will work on the master plan and also prepare the tender for engineering, procurement and (EPC) contract. The Rs 3,040 crore-first phase of the project (after deducting Rs 970 crore being invested by the operator) would have a State Government equity exposure of Rs 1,130 crore. Sources also said that the issue of bonds of Rs 810 crore being floated by the state government has been credit-rated.

HUDCO EXPOSURE
It is learnt that Housing and Urban Development Corporation (Hudco) has given in-principle approval to provide Rs 500 crore.

Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) and India Infrastructure Finance Corporation (IIFC) are being approached for a contribution of Rs 300 crore.

A consortium of banks led by State Bank of Travancore is raising an equal amount. The Vizhinjam project has a sole bidder in the consortium led by the Welspun group as operator.

The consortium had approached the State government for a grant of Rs 479 crore, subsequent to which it had conditionally agreed to reduce the grant amount.

BETTER BID
But there is a view that the government need not necessarily proceed with the single bid, and would be well within its rights to float a fresh bid post-EIA clearance. Work on the port infrastructure is on, and it would be another three years before the selected operator would be required to start building the port superstructure. This gives the State Government ample time to go for a fresh bid, and extract a much better quote since the project would have basic infrastructure in place. The EIA approval would be an added bonus, and the project would become an attractive proposition for any bidder looking for a natural deepwater port project on the country’s west coast.

vinson.kurian@thehindu.co.in

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article3573512.ece

Move for more talks with Welspun consortium on Vizhinjam port
Source: Business Line

The consortium, in its financial bid for taking up the role of the port operator, had quoted the provision of Rs 479.54-crore grant from the State government.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JUNE 28:
The Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL) has decided to hold another round of discussion with the consortium led by Welspun Infratech Ltd (India).

The VISL board of directors on Thursday decided to invite the consortium for talks to see whether it would scale down its demand for a grant of Rs 479.54 crore to operate the proposed port.

The consortium, in its financial bid for taking up the role of the port operator, had quoted the provision of this grant from the State government for operating the port for 30 years. The grant is to be given over a period of 16 years.

LONE BIDDER

Since only one bidder is in the fray, price discovery has become difficult. This is, apparently, making the job difficult for the decision makers.

The VISL, the government entity promoting the project, had earlier held discussions with the consortium but the meeting did not go the way the VISL and the government expected.

The board meeting on Thursday favoured the idea of making another try before exploring the option of floating another global tender.

The investment estimated for the first stage of the port project, to be developed under the landlord model, will come to Rs 4,010 crore.

OPERATOR’S ROLE

The port operator is responsible for building the superstructure of the port, which would entail and investment of Rs 970 crore. After 30 years, the port will become government property, free of lease encumbrances.

One thinking in the government and the VISL is that there is no hurry in fixing the port operator since the role of the port operator will come only when the work on basic infrastructure, which is the VISL’s responsibility, has progressed to a certain stage. The project is yet to win environmental clearance. Once environmental clearance is won, more bidders may show interest in the project, it is felt.

The financial advisors to the project, however, have pointed out to the government the advantages of fixing the port operator early.

Something to Cheer?

Cheers!!!

Something to Cheer?

NO. Not yet.

Fresh talks with Welspan on July 4th

Read on
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/thiruvananthapuram/fresh-talks-welspun-july-4-948

Cheers!!!

http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/3139/37327438.png

http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentId=11902055&programId=1073753760&tabId=11&contentType=EDITORIAL&BV_ID=@@@

Cruise terminal being planned at Vizhinjam
http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01131/vizhi_1131751f.jpg

A cruise terminal for luxury liners too may become part of the master plan for the proposed port at Vizhinjam, hitherto conceived only as a container transhipment facility.

AECOM, technical consultant for the EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) contract for the port, has reported that the cruise terminal could be built without much additional capital expenditure, A.S. Sureshbabu, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Vizhinjam International Seaports Limited (VISL), told The Hindu on Monday.

This can give a big boost to the tourism industry in Kovalam, the State’s premier tourism centre, he said. When implemented, the cruise terminal at Vizhinjam will be the first of its kind in the country, he added.

Another unexpected development is the finding, during the geophysical survey in the proposed site, that the construction of the transhipment terminal will not require any underwater rock blasting.

Survey just now completed by Furgo Geotech Private Limited, consultant for geo-technical matters connected with the proposed port, found three seabed types in the area. The seabed is clayey in part of the area, sandy in another part and has rock outcrops in still another part. No rock blasting will be needed, according to the consultant.

Mr. Sureshbabu said the studies required for the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) too had been completed on June 30. The master plan, incorporating the cruise terminal in the project, was now under preparation for finalising the tender document. It would be possible to conduct the public hearing connected with the EIA in another month’s time.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article3595756.ece

http://www.mathrubhumi.com/online/malayalam/news/story/1692364/2012-07-03/kerala
വിഴിഞ്ഞം തുറമുഖം: കടലിനടിയില്* പാറപൊട്ടിക്കല്* വേണ്ടിവരില്ലെന്ന് പഠനം | 03 Jul 2012
വിഴിഞ്ഞം തുറമുഖനിര്*മാണത്തിനായി കടലിനടിയില്* വ്യാപകമായി പാറപൊട്ടിക്കല്* വേണ്ടിവരില്ലെന്ന് പഠന ഫലം. പരിസ്ഥിതി ആഘാത പഠനത്തിന്റെ ഭാഗമായി കടലിനടിത്തട്ടില്* നടത്തിയ ജിയോ ഫിസിക്കല്* സര്*വേയിലാണ് ഈ നിഗമനം.
പൊതുജനങ്ങളുടെ പരാതികളും നിര്*ദേശങ്ങളും കണക്കിലെടുത്താവും പരിസ്ഥിതി ആഘാത പഠനത്തിന് അന്തിമാനുമതി നല്*കുന്നത്. :nuts:
===============================================
http://www.mathrubhumi.com/online/malayalam/news/story/1692365/2012-07-03/kerala
തുറമുഖത്തിനൊപ്പം ക്രൂയ്*സ് ടെര്*മിനലും | Posted on: 03 Jul 2012
വിഴിഞ്ഞം തുറമുഖത്തിനൊപ്പം ഉല്ലാസക്കപ്പലുകള്*ക്കായി മറ്റൊരു ടെര്*മിനല്* കൂടി പണിയാന്* തുറമുഖത്തിന്റെ കണ്*സള്*ട്ടിങ് സ്ഥാപനമായ എയ്*കോം നിര്*ദേശിച്ചു. കോവളം, വിഴിഞ്ഞം മേഖലയിലെ പ്രധാന ആകര്*ഷകമായ വിനോദസഞ്ചാരത്തിന് ഈ ടെര്*മിനല്* ഗുണം ചെയ്യുമെന്ന് കരുതുന്നു.
==============================

This can give a big boost to the tourism industry in Kovalam, the State’s premier tourism centre, he said. When implemented, the cruise terminal at Vizhinjam will be the first of its kind in the country, he added.

Another unexpected development is the finding, during the geophysical survey in the proposed site, that the construction of the transhipment terminal will not require any underwater rock blasting.

Survey just now completed by Furgo Geotech Private Limited, consultant for geo-technical matters connected with the proposed port, found three seabed types in the area. The seabed is clayey in part of the area, sandy in another part and has rock outcrops in still another part. No rock blasting will be needed, according to the consultant.

This is a slap in the face for the resort lobbies and the environment lovers they've been promoting. I wonder now what excuse they'll try to bring up? The project endangers the sexual relationship and breeding of some rare fish species, may be?

This is a slap in the face for the resort lobbies and the environment lovers they've been promoting. I wonder now what excuse they'll try to bring up? The project endangers the sexual relationship and breeding of some rare fish species, may be?

Beware!!!!!! that can include endangered scorpions also.:lol:

^^ :lol::lol: Don't give them ideas!!

http://thiruvananthapuramupdates.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/vzmmm03-07.jpg

http://t.co/RplrBG0j

And this may worry the resort lobbies' and some crooked "pathiries' " :nuts: who were jumping up and down about "future oil slicks" due to Vizhinjam Port!!! :lol:

I have been sailing Kerala waters for years and felt bad first when I was landing in Trivandrum airport on a commercial flight in the seventies. This was pre Marpol and you could see 7 to 8 heavy slicks of oil maybe less than 10 miles from Trivandrum ( Thiruananthapuram) coast. Each of these was tankers who had pumped out their slops to be clean and dry for their next loading in PG.

Source (http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Diary-of-a-Divorced-Delhi-Male/entry/if-the-pirates-don-t-get-you-the-cops-will?sortBy=MOSTDISCUSSED&th=1)

And this may worry the resort lobbies' and some crooked "pathiries' " :nuts: who were jumping up and down about "future oil slicks" due to Vizhinjam Port!!! :lol:

Interesting blog : It says that Large Ships get intruded into Indian waters close to our shore(Trivandrum-Alleppey) to catch cell phone range and wireless broadband internet while on sail.

As per Asianet News, Welspun put a new proposal as part of negotiation.

1. The entire grant amount will be retruned to the Govt. once the project becomes profitable.
2. No land shall not be given by the Govt.for any kind of real estate purpose.

And this may worry the resort lobbies' and some crooked "pathiries' " :nuts: who were jumping up and down about "future oil slicks" due to Vizhinjam Port!!! :lol:

For more than four decades the "Ballast Water" and "Tank washing stored in the Slop Holding Tank" are carefully monitored so that the Oil content of Waters discharged is well below the acceptable limits.

I would join you i your statement if "Sarcasm" at the various impediments being encountered by the Vizhinjam Project.

Cheers :cheers:

And this may worry the resort lobbies' and some crooked "pathiries' " :nuts: who were jumping up and down about "future oil slicks" due to Vizhinjam Port!!! :lol:
The Resort lobbies should now be jumping up and down supporting the project because of the new Cruise Terminal proposal.

The Resort lobbies should now be jumping up and down supporting the project because of the new Cruise Terminal proposal.

They may not as it is likely that the tourists coming by cruise ships might visit the nearby tourist destinations and go back to their ships for overnight stay.

Talks on Vizhinjam port on Wednesday

Source: thehindu

Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL) will hold negotiations with Welspun Infratech Limited (India) on Wednesday on the question whether the consortium led by it could scale down its bid for taking up the port operator’s role at the proposed port.

Welspun’s executives are coming for the negotiation responding to an invitation from the VISL last week. The only bidder for the project, the consortium had quoted a grant of Rs.479.54 crore, to be given over a period of 16 years, from the State government for being the operator of the Rs.4,010-crore project.

The basic infrastructure is the State government’s responsibility, while the superstructure of the port has to be built by the port operator investing an estimated sum of Rs.970 crore. The project, conceived along the landlord model, will vest with the government free of all encumbrances after 30 years.

A top official of the VISL said the negotiation committee of the government would place before the Empowered Committee headed by the Chief Secretary any new offer the consortium might make. The Empowered Committee would evaluate the likely proposal and submit its recommendation to the Council of Minister’s for a decision.

In the absence of a second bid, the State government had been finding it difficult to take a decision on awarding the tender. The financial advisors for this project had pointed out the advantages of having the port operator in place early. But there is also an opinion that the government could go for a re-tender. A meeting of the board of directors of the VISL had decided to call Welspun for negotiation before finalising what to do.

Cheers!!!

http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/6407/vzmkk0407.jpg

Source: Kerala Kaumudi

As per Asianet News, Welspun put a new proposal as part of negotiation.

1. The entire grant amount will be retruned to the Govt. once the project becomes profitable.
2. No land shall not be given by the Govt.for any kind of real estate purpose.

Interesting news, this means that Welspun is effectively converting the grant into a conditional loan. Better than before, but still doesn't inspire much confidence. Thanks, Ajith!

They may not as it is likely that the tourists coming by cruise ships might visit the nearby tourist destinations and go back to their ships for overnight stay.

What you refer to is the "shore excursions" that are part and parcel of cruise ship visits. This itself generates a lot of business for tour operators who manage the logistics of these visits. It's estimated that the average shore excursion generates over $100 of economic activity/tourist.

However, there is much more than this to cruise tourism. Another important aspect is the possibility of "home-porting" where tourists embark and disembark at Trivandrum. These folks would stay in nearby hotels before and/or after their voyages. Similarly, "cruise-fly-cruise" is a popular mode of operation whereby cruise passengers leave the ship for an extended period either to stay at a destination like Kovalam (perhaps to undergo a rejuvenation treatment) or fly to visit far-away attractions (say, Rajasthan or Agra) and later rejoin the ship by plane at another port of call such as Singapore or Dubai. Passengers can also engage in the "fly-cruise-fly" mode where they fly into a port city to join one or more legs of a cruise and fly out from another port, without staying for the entire duration of the cruise. Both these modes would generate significant hotel and air traffic, and this is already evident at ports such as Singapore, Colombo and even at Ernakulam.

More about the the potential of the cruise industry in general and particularly in Trivandrum can be read here (http://www.slideshare.net/ajaypp/cruise-tourism-in-trivandrum-9206075).

See the news in KeralaKaumudi.

http://news.keralakaumudi.com/news.php?nid=42b8c8b3f10f92878602bc2b8a9a6266

"Strong lobbying to derail the Vizhinjam project. They are arguing that Welspun has no prior experience in port construction or operating. "

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/8155/vzmmb0407.jpg

Source: Mathrubhumi

Project Layout by AECOM
http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r638/asleshrk/cb91f934.jpg

"There will not be any Rock Blasting in the area where dredging activities needs to be carried out. The study reveals the Seabed Types and it's features as below.

There are three types of seabed reflectivity were observed on the side scan sonar records.

Type 1: Low to medium reflective seabed (Clayey/silty Fine Sand)
Type 2: Medium reflective seabed (Fine to medium Sandbed)
Type 3: High reflective seabed (Rock Outcrops)

Type 1 and Type 2 sediments were predominant within the survey area
Rock out crops (Type3) was predominant in areas close to the shore line
No other significant seabed features were identified within the survey area.

The above points rules out the fears of Local community about therock blasting during the dredging."

The Summary

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/9465/vzm1.jpg

Move to sabotage Vizhinjam Project as Welspun start talks

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, A move to sabotage the Vizhinjam International Port Project has taken shape, even as Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL) goes to hold negotiations with Welspun Infratech Limited (India) today (Wednesday)

Sources underline the participation of a group including some eminent personalities behind the move.

The group propagates that the Welspun Infratech Limited (India) has no experience in constructing or conducting big ports such as the Vizhinjam. This group wants to avoid Welspun and go for a retender.

Meanwhile, some companies have come forward to undertake the construction works of the port once Welspun withdraws and a retender is called. GVK Group and Delma Emirates Group are two major companies that are eager to undertake Vizhinjam project.

GVK is a leading Indian conglomerate with diversified interests across various sectors including energy, resources, airports, transportation, hospitality and life sciences. Delma Emirates Group is a business group with multi-disciplinary infrastructure construction and associated activities as its core interest, supplemented by rapidly growing interests in trading, investment, manufacturing and technology.

Some of the slanders propagated are: (1) If Vizhinjam port is materialized then the lives of the local people would be in danger and the present shore would be engulfed by sea, (2) Vizhinjam port will adversely affect the tourism at Kovalam, (3) Vizhinjam port will not be profitable.

http://www.keralanext.com/news/2012/07/04/article107.asp

If experience alone is the criterion how come DMRC execute Calicut 'Mono rail' .

This bunch of 'eminent personalities' would be having support within the state and that's saddest part:bash:

Move to sabotage Vizhinjam Project as Welspun start talks

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, A move to sabotage the Vizhinjam International Port Project has taken shape, even as Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL) goes to hold negotiations with Welspun Infratech Limited (India) today (Wednesday)

Sources underline the participation of a group including some eminent personalities behind the move.

The group propagates that the Welspun Infratech Limited (India) has no experience in constructing or conducting big ports such as the Vizhinjam. This group wants to avoid Welspun and go for a retender.

Meanwhile, some companies have come forward to undertake the construction works of the port once Welspun withdraws and a retender is called. GVK Group and Delma Emirates Group are two major companies that are eager to undertake Vizhinjam project.

GVK is a leading Indian conglomerate with diversified interests across various sectors including energy, resources, airports, transportation, hospitality and life sciences. Delma Emirates Group is a business group with multi-disciplinary infrastructure construction and associated activities as its core interest, supplemented by rapidly growing interests in trading, investment, manufacturing and technology.

Some of the slanders propagated are: (1) If Vizhinjam port is materialized then the lives of the local people would be in danger and the present shore would be engulfed by sea, (2) Vizhinjam port will adversely affect the tourism at Kovalam, (3) Vizhinjam port will not be profitable.

http://www.keralanext.com/news/2012/07/04/article107.asp

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/6454/vzmkk0507.jpg

Source: Kerala Kaumudi

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/2903/vzmmm0507.jpg

http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/4682/vzmmm10507.jpg

Source: Malayala Manorama

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/9907/cruisemm0507.jpg

Source: Malayala Manorama

http://i1245.photobucket.com/albums/gg597/tmsreeram1994/viz1.jpg

http://newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/article558968.ece
Vizhinjam: Government gives Welspun two more days to submit proposal | 05th July 2012
The State Government has given the Welspun group two more days’ time to submit their ’best and final proposal’ for the post of port operator for the proposed Vizhinjam International Container Transshipment Terminal.

‘’We have been given time till Saturday. Let’s see how we can respect the wishes of the government,’’ Parvez Umrigar, CEO and MD, Welspun Infratech, said after the meeting. Anil Thampi, advisor to Welspun, said that Welspun had pointed out at the meeting that its was not a single bid.
================================================

http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/6070/vzmmb0607.jpg

Source: Mathrubhumi

^^

The Trivandrum Chamber of Commerce and Industry has come out against the allegations that the Vizhinjam seaport project will destroy tourism potential in the region.

Chamber president C Chandramohan and secretary S N Raghuchandran Nair also scoffed at the demand made by certain sections that the project should be moved further south. Putting forth such demands at this juncture was meant only to scuttle the multi-crore project, they said, urging Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and the UDF Government to go ahead with the project as per planned.

“Certain organisations, using the tourism industry as a front, and without conducting any study, are demanding that the site should be changed so that the project does not get implemented,” they said. The Chamber also lauded the recent report by masterplan consultants AECOM that a cruise terminal can be added to the project without cost overrun in Phase I.

‘Attempts to scuttle project’

Attempts are being made to scuttle the Vizhinjam seaport project, former MLA George Mercier said in a statement.

The project has entered an important phase with the completion of the Environmental Impact Assessment.

He also demanded that the LDF should make it clear whether the agitation led by Jameela Prakasam MLA, in connection with the dispute over a road here on Wednesday was in sync with the Left policies.


http://newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/article559836.ece

^^

The Trivandrum Chamber of Commerce and Industry has come out against the allegations that the Vizhinjam seaport project will destroy tourism potential in the region.

Chamber president C Chandramohan and secretary S N Raghuchandran Nair also scoffed at the demand made by certain sections that the project should be moved further south. Putting forth such demands at this juncture was meant only to scuttle the multi-crore project, they said, urging Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and the UDF Government to go ahead with the project as per planned.

“Certain organisations, using the tourism industry as a front, and without conducting any study, are demanding that the site should be changed so that the project does not get implemented,” they said. The Chamber also lauded the recent report by masterplan consultants AECOM that a cruise terminal can be added to the project without cost overrun in Phase I.

‘Attempts to scuttle project’

Attempts are being made to scuttle the Vizhinjam seaport project, former MLA George Mercier said in a statement.

The project has entered an important phase with the completion of the Environmental Impact Assessment.

He also demanded that the LDF should make it clear whether the agitation led by Jameela Prakasam MLA, in connection with the dispute over a road here on Wednesday was in sync with the Left policies.

http://newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/article559836.ece

What does Mr.Selvaraj MLA say on this ? It is Neyyatinkara which is going to be most benefitted if this project gets implemented.

What does Mr.Selvaraj MLA say on this ? It is Neyyatinkara which is going to be most benefitted if this project gets implemented.
He already received his "benefits" ;), then why he should bother about this project.

MLA,Jameela Prakasham stopped the approach road entry gate constructions citing it will help some resorts :|

^^

The Trivandrum Chamber of Commerce and Industry has come out against the allegations that the Vizhinjam seaport project will destroy tourism potential in the region.


http://newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/article559836.ece

Nice to see that we do have a chamber of commerce and industry in our city and more importantly that they have raised their voice.

Nice to see that we do have a chamber of commerce and industry in our city and more importantly that they have raised their voice.

+100

What does Mr.Selvaraj MLA say on this ? It is Neyyatinkara which is going to be most benefitted if this project gets implemented.

Great to see the voices of Jameela Prakashan and Sivankutty, not just in this project, but any that affects Trivandrum :ohno:

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/6224/vzmkk0707.jpg

Source: Kerala Kaumudi

Great to see the voices of Jameela Prakashan and Sivankutty, not just in this project, but any that affects Trivandrum :ohno:

???

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/1678/vzmx.jpg

Source (http://www.mathrubhumi.com/story.php?id=285009)

Welspun scales down grant demand

The consortium led by Welspun Infratech Limited (India) has reduced its grant demand for taking up the port operator’s role at the proposed Vizhinjam International Transhipment Terminal from the originally quoted sum of Rs.479.54 crore to Rs.399.50 crore. This new offer from the consortium reached the government on Saturday, a top official said.

Parvez Umrigar, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Welspun Infratech, and Vineet Mittal, Managing Director of Welspun Energy Limited, had had discussions with the State government’s negotiation committee here earlier in the week. The offer is the outcome of the discussions.

The Welspun consortium is the only bidder for the port operator’s role. Because of the demand for the grant, there were two opinions in the government whether to accept the consortium’s bid, or go for re-tender trying to get more bids for a comparison of costs.

Related news, with some mention of Vizhinjam

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article3613063.ece?homepage=true&ref=wl_home

Kochi: Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that the Shipping Ministry has promised to take the necessary steps for relaxing the Cabotage law at the International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) in Vallarpadam.
He was speaking at the inauguration of the Federation of Indian Export Organistions, Kerala chapter, in Kochi on Saturday.
The Chief Minister said that he had held a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in this regard.

"The Prime Minister said that the necessary steps would be taken for easing the Cabotage law. The Shipping Ministry has also assured that relaxations would be made at the earliest," Chandy said.
He said that Centre aid has been given for the development of the Azhikkal Port and the Vallarpadam terminal.
"The state is looking forward to funds from the Centre for the Vizhinjam Port as well. Apart from these major three, small ports will also be developed across the state," Chandy said.
Chandy opined that state has not fully utilised coastal transportation.
"We could only tap 10 percentage of the state's coastal transportation potential. But the government will take necessary action to tap its full potential," he added.
Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Food and Civil Supplies KV Thomas said that export of the commodities in the country is increasing each year.
He added that a more practical approach regarding export and import would lead to more growth in the sector.
"We, political leaders, often frame decisions on the basis of vote banks just to win the next election. So we are handcuffed from taking harsh decisions," he said.
Anup K Pujari, Director General of Foreign Trade, said that a whopping increase is noted in the commodity export.
"There should be stability in the export of all commodities," he said.
He added that as far as cashew and areca nut are concerned many are importing these commodities and are bringing them into the domestic market.
This has affected the price of these commodities.
"We have taken action to control such activities by increasing the import duties on the these commodities," Anup said.

Concern over environmental impact of Vizhinjam project (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article3630010.ece)

Fisheries expert and marine scientist Sanjeeva Ghosh has demanded core changes to the project report for the proposed seaport at Vizhinjam, warning that the construction activities for the port would impact on the marine ecosystem and the livelihood of the fishing community and pose a serious setback to beach tourism.

Pointing out that the project would lead to significant shoreline changes in the area, Mr. Ghosh, former Additional Director of Fisheries, Kerala, demanded a scientific and technical review of the proposal.

In a letter to the Member Secretary, Expert Appraisal Committee for CRZ (coastal regulation zone) projects, he said the construction of the seaport would alter the natural geography of the coast and affect the marine ecosystem along the coast of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, affecting over 100,000 fishermen.

“The impact will be felt on a highly marginalised and low income community. The destruction of marine resources is unavoidable and irreversible.” He said it would also affect the thriving beach resorts, hotels and tourist facilities in the Kovalam, Vizhinjam and Poovar areas.

Biodiversity

Citing geographical studies, the letter pointed out that construction activities involving underwater rock blasting, dredging, sand mining and reclamation :lol: could affect the narrow continental shelf, resulting in changes in the direction of waves and ocean tides. This in turn would affect the marine wealth and the coastal areas in Thiruvananthapuram and neighbouring districts.

Dr. Ghosh said environmental experts had warned about the impact of the port on the biodiversity of the Wedge Bank, 45 to 60 km off the Vizhinjam coast. “The largest coral reef in the Indian ocean, the Wedge Bank is the breeding ground for more than 200 varieties of fish. It is also home to more than 60 species of ornamental fishes and oceanic animals. The construction works for the port will destroy the habitat.”

The letter observed that the construction of the proposed port would lead to accelerated erosion of the beaches on the northern side including the Kovalam international tourist destination. The area southward up to Poovar is likely to be become unusable due to enhanced accretion of sand. Considering that the affected areas are mainly fishing villages and tourist destinations, the local economy could take a big hit, he warned. “The erosion and accretion in and around fishing harbours, river bunds and sea walls in Kerala has been established by scientists studying the phenomenon..

He also called for an assessment of the economic value of the tourism industry in the region.

Concern over environmental impact of Vizhinjam project (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article3630010.ece)


“The impact will be felt on a highly marginalised and low income community. The destruction of marine resources is unavoidable and irreversible.” He said it would also affect the thriving beach resorts, hotels and tourist facilities in the Kovalam, Vizhinjam and Poovar areas.



Intention is pretty clear.. :bash:

Sanjeeva Ghosh... Ivane okke vedi vech kollanam.
In my weirdest of dreams I did not think that Bengali's would also be against Vizhinjam.

It is also possible that these experts are paid heavily by those parties with vested interests. They stress upon matters like the livelihood of 100,000 fishermen which can create panic and impede the onward progress of the projects. It is strange that there is not a line on the positive side like employment generation for the local population bulk of which is fishermen community and the economic development of the region.

It is important to note that Mr Ghosh does not compare Vizhinjam with other transhipment hubs in the world like Dubai, Singapore, Amsterdam etc. Are these problems of Vizhinjam unique and not a concern for these successful ports? We have to remember that the economy of these cities have a lot to do wirh the successful operation of these ports.

The Govt or the concerned project authority should put experts to counter these arguments contained in these bad reports and highlight the positive effects.

Also why Mr Ghosh is silent on the negative impacts of these resorts resulting in environmental degradation due to improper waste disposal and other harmful actions on the part of the owners of these resorts.

Tears and fears !!!

Concern over environmental impact of Vizhinjam project (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article3630010.ece)

Fisheries expert and marine scientist Sanjeeva Ghosh has demanded core changes to the project report for the proposed seaport at Vizhinjam, warning that the construction activities for the port would impact on the marine ecosystem and the livelihood of the fishing community and pose a serious setback to beach tourism.

Pointing out that the project would lead to significant shoreline changes in the area, Mr. Ghosh, former Additional Director of Fisheries, Kerala, demanded a scientific and technical review of the proposal.

In a letter to the Member Secretary, Expert Appraisal Committee for CRZ (coastal regulation zone) projects, he said the construction of the seaport would alter the natural geography of the coast and affect the marine ecosystem along the coast of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, affecting over 100,000 fishermen.

“The impact will be felt on a highly marginalised and low income community. The destruction of marine resources is unavoidable and irreversible.” He said it would also affect the thriving beach resorts, hotels and tourist facilities in the Kovalam, Vizhinjam and Poovar areas.

Biodiversity

Citing geographical studies, the letter pointed out that construction activities involving underwater rock blasting, dredging, sand mining and reclamation :lol: could affect the narrow continental shelf, resulting in changes in the direction of waves and ocean tides. This in turn would affect the marine wealth and the coastal areas in Thiruvananthapuram and neighbouring districts.

Dr. Ghosh said environmental experts had warned about the impact of the port on the biodiversity of the Wedge Bank, 45 to 60 km off the Vizhinjam coast. “The largest coral reef in the Indian ocean, the Wedge Bank is the breeding ground for more than 200 varieties of fish. It is also home to more than 60 species of ornamental fishes and oceanic animals. The construction works for the port will destroy the habitat.”

The letter observed that the construction of the proposed port would lead to accelerated erosion of the beaches on the northern side including the Kovalam international tourist destination. The area southward up to Poovar is likely to be become unusable due to enhanced accretion of sand. Considering that the affected areas are mainly fishing villages and tourist destinations, the local economy could take a big hit, he warned. “The erosion and accretion in and around fishing harbours, river bunds and sea walls in Kerala has been established by scientists studying the phenomenon..

He also called for an assessment of the economic value of the tourism industry in the region.

Hope he didn't consider the 3 Lakh + direct and Indirect jobs that would have bettered the household income of the local fishermen folk.

More fisherment can start exporting operation.
Atleast some of them can start hotel business and the Vizhinjam fishmarket itself will boom as it has to feed atleast 5000 people working in various departments in the Port.
The real estate,house rental,....etc will boom,which will raise the income of people living nearby.

Similar allegations were made when Technopark came into existance.Current study proves that technopark has bettered the life of neighbours in a big way.

Social Impact study should be conducted by some social body rather than Mr.Ghosh who is a technical guy.

Multi Dimensional Socio-Economic & Cultural Impact on the society as a whole should be studied.Study should focus on Before and After(projected) as well as a study on how the society will transform over decades to come.

I fear that Mr.Ghosh has enimity towards the people of Vizhinjam by publishing such unscientific reports.

If vizhinjam is affecting the livelyhood of people,a study has to be conducted in other ports as well to prove the contarary.
All the affected ports should be shut down.

Sanjeeva Ghosh... Ivane okke vedi vech kollanam.
In my weirdest of dreams I did not think that Bengali's would also be against Vizhinjam.

Why blame Bengali's?

Evan nalla Malayalee from Trivandrum :bash:

Whatever published in newspaper is nothing compared to the report he has submitted to the VISL authorities, athum vedupayittu malayalathil, english paribasha verae.

Janapaksham will be holding a General Body meeting on coming Sunday [07/12/2012] to review people campaign plan to counter the allegations like environmental impact, adverse impact on tourism and others.

Those who are ready to be part o this please PM

Concern over environmental impact of Vizhinjam project (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article3630010.ece)

Fisheries expert and marine scientist Sanjeeva Ghosh has demanded core changes to the project report for the proposed seaport at Vizhinjam, warning that the construction activities for the port would impact on the marine ecosystem and the livelihood of the fishing community and pose a serious setback to beach tourism.

Pointing out that the project would lead to significant shoreline changes in the area, Mr. Ghosh, former Additional Director of Fisheries, Kerala, demanded a scientific and technical review of the proposal.

In a letter to the Member Secretary, Expert Appraisal Committee for CRZ (coastal regulation zone) projects, he said the construction of the seaport would alter the natural geography of the coast and affect the marine ecosystem along the coast of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, affecting over 100,000 fishermen.

“The impact will be felt on a highly marginalised and low income community. The destruction of marine resources is unavoidable and irreversible.” He said it would also affect the thriving beach resorts, hotels and tourist facilities in the Kovalam, Vizhinjam and Poovar areas.

Biodiversity

Citing geographical studies, the letter pointed out that construction activities involving underwater rock blasting, dredging, sand mining and reclamation :lol: could affect the narrow continental shelf, resulting in changes in the direction of waves and ocean tides. This in turn would affect the marine wealth and the coastal areas in Thiruvananthapuram and neighbouring districts.

Dr. Ghosh said environmental experts had warned about the impact of the port on the biodiversity of the Wedge Bank, 45 to 60 km off the Vizhinjam coast. “The largest coral reef in the Indian ocean, the Wedge Bank is the breeding ground for more than 200 varieties of fish. It is also home to more than 60 species of ornamental fishes and oceanic animals. The construction works for the port will destroy the habitat.”

The letter observed that the construction of the proposed port would lead to accelerated erosion of the beaches on the northern side including the Kovalam international tourist destination. The area southward up to Poovar is likely to be become unusable due to enhanced accretion of sand. Considering that the affected areas are mainly fishing villages and tourist destinations, the local economy could take a big hit, he warned. “The erosion and accretion in and around fishing harbours, river bunds and sea walls in Kerala has been established by scientists studying the phenomenon..

He also called for an assessment of the economic value of the tourism industry in the region.

It is foolish to expect no impacts when such a large marine construction project is executed. But, Mr. Ghosh has not said anything new and there is no need to overreact. All these possible impacts have already been identified in the Scoping Document for ESIA study by VISL in AUgust 2010 itself. MoEF has also insisted upon study of all these impacts in its approval for Terms of Refrence for EIA studies. They are available in VISL website.

The VISL's ESIA Consultants have to study the mentioned impatcs and come up with mitigation measures recommendations acceptable to the affected parties/community. Kearala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB)will call for a Public Hearing/Consultation (PHC) giving one month Notice after VISL submits the draft ESIA document to KSPCB.

The final ESIA document incorporating comments during the PHC will then be submitted to MoEF for final review and grant of Environmental Clearance. After this work will commence.

Here is Another Big PAARA

തിരു: വിഴിഞ്ഞം അന്താരാഷ്ട്ര തുറമുഖനിര്*മാണവുമായി ഉണ്ടായിരിക്കുന്ന അനിശ്ചിതാവസ്ഥയ്ക്ക് പരിഹാരമുണ്ടാക്കാന്* സര്*ക്കാര്* ഉടന്* കേന്ദ്ര ഷിപ്പിങ് കോര്*പറേഷനെ സമീപിക്കുകയാണ് വേണ്ടതെന്ന് കേരള കോണ്*ഗ്രസ് നേതാവും മുന്*മന്ത്രിയുമായ വി സുരേന്ദ്രന്*പിള്ള പ്രസ്താവനയില്* പറഞ്ഞു. സര്*ക്കാരിനെ മുള്*മുനയില്* നിര്*ത്തി വെല്*സ്പെണ്* കമ്പനി കാര്യം സാധിച്ചെടുക്കാന്* നടത്തുന്ന ശ്രമങ്ങള്* തിരിച്ചറിയണം. 479 കോടി രൂപ ഗ്രാന്റായി നല്*കണമെന്ന് ആവശ്യപ്പെട്ട കമ്പനി ഇപ്പോള്* 100 കോടി കുറയ്ക്കാമെന്നു പറയുന്നു. ഇത് കബളിപ്പിക്കലാണ്. സര്*ക്കാര്* ഇതിനു കൂട്ടുനില്*ക്കാതെ കേന്ദ്രസര്*ക്കാര്* സ്ഥാപനമായ ഷിപ്പിങ് കോര്*പറേഷന്* ഓഫ് ഇന്ത്യയെ സമീപിക്കണം. മുന്* സര്*ക്കാരിന്റെ കാലത്ത് ഷിപ്പിങ് കോര്*പറേഷന്* സജീവമായി വിഴിഞ്ഞം പദ്ധതിക്കായി മുന്നോട്ടുവന്നിരുന്നു. എന്നാല്*, ടെന്*ഡര്* നടപടികളില്* പങ്കെടുക്കാന്* എന്തുകൊണ്ടോ അവര്* താല്*പ്പര്യം കാണിച്ചില്ല. രണ്ട് ടെന്*ഡര്* ലഭിച്ചപ്പോള്* രണ്ടിനും സുരക്ഷാ അനുമതിക്കായി സര്*ക്കാര്* ശ്രമിക്കാതെ ഒന്നിനു കിട്ടിയപ്പോള്* അതുമായി മാത്രം മുന്നോട്ടുപോകുന്നതില്* ദുരൂഹതയുണ്ട്. ഇന്ത്യന്* കമ്പനിയായ മുദ്രാ പോര്*ട്സിന് എന്തുകൊണ്ട് പൂര്*ണമായ സുരക്ഷാ അനുമതി ലഭിച്ചില്ലെന്ന കാര്യം പരിശോധിക്കണം. പുനഃപരിശോധന ആവശ്യപ്പെട്ടാല്* രണ്ടാമത്തെ കമ്പനിക്കും സുരക്ഷാ അനുമതി ലഭിക്കാം. അല്ലാതെയുള്ള തീരുമാനങ്ങള്* ഒന്നുകില്* ഇനിയും വൈകും അല്ലെങ്കില്* കനത്ത നഷ്ടവും ഉണ്ടാകുമെന്ന് സുരേന്ദ്രന്*പിള്ള പറഞ്ഞു.
http://www.deshabhimani.com/newscontent.php?id=175510
Posted on: 09-Jul-2012 09:50 AM

Vizhinjam tender back on table

Source: http://www.portstrategy.com/news101/asia/vizhinjam-tender-back-on-the-table

Note - The news dated 18 th July, but I am not sure whether the contents are updated.

Cheers!!!

Vizhinjam tender back on table

Source: http://www.portstrategy.com/news101/asia/vizhinjam-tender-back-on-the-table

Note - The news dated 18 th July, but I am not sure whether the contents are updated.

Cheers!!!

It says "may" be re-tendered. Nothing new.

The Kerala government is likely to invite fresh bids for the Vizhinjam Port after the state government found it unviable to provide a grant as requested by the sole bidder for the project - a consortium led by Welspun group.

The consortium was the lone bidder to operate the project after the home ministry denied permission to Adani Ports to participate in the bid. Welspun had asked the state government for a grant of Rs 479 crore which was later revised to less than Rs 400 crore.

"We are likely to go for a re-bid as the conditions put forward are not acceptable to us. The main problem in the bid lies with the grant they are asking for. A final decision will be taken next week after the empowered committee goes through the revised bid again", K Babu, minister for ports, Kerala, told ET.

Welspun has asked the state government to grant it the first right of refusal if a re-bidding is invited for the project, according to senior officials of Welspun.

"We have informed the state government that we will bring down the grant and we are willing to share profits with the government. But, if the government feels that they can get a better offer, we should be given the first right of refusal to match the bid," said a senior official at Welspun.

The Vizhinjam terminal, planned as a container transshipment hub with a capacity to handle 4.1 million TEUs (Twenty foot Equivalent Unit) a year, will be built on the so-called landlord model, where the state government will set up the infrastructure and invite an operator to run the port.

In addition, the port is also planning to invite tenders for the break water construction, for which international agency AECOM is the advisor.The Vizhinjam project has been delayed since 2004, when the government gave shape to the project and since then made two unsuccessful attempts to develop the port.

In 2006, a consortium of infrastructure firms - led by Mumbai-based Zoom developers and three Chinese companies - was chosen by the state to develop the entire project, but the plan was subsequently cancelled.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/shipping-/-transport/kerala-government-may-invite-fresh-bids-for-vizhinjam-port/articleshow/15036906.cms

Sad thing is that this is happening to Vizhinjam which could be termed as a project of national importance where as certain projects neither need global tenders nor feasibility study.:bash:

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/shipping-/-transport/kerala-government-may-invite-fresh-bids-for-vizhinjam-port/articleshow/15036906.cms

Sad thing is that this is happening to Vizhinjam which could be termed as a project of national importance where as certain projects neither need global tenders nor feasibility study.:bash:

Again the elected people succeeded in getting the same score of 0/100 (Vattapoojyam).So is the port minister.

it was evident from day one......recapping....etho oru Ecom companikku quotation kodukkan pokukayanu,.....aazhimala shipyard proposal turned to ezhimala overnight (shhhh spelling mistake aaa,....)

Now this gives you the simple and logical reason why UDF candidate,Selvaraj could manage won by a simple margin in Neyyatinkara despite herculean effort put by leaders,while BJP candidate managed to multiply its vote bank(don't forget that it was Rajagopal,who contributed best ever development to Nemom,Neyyatinkara and Parasala during his tenure as railway minister for state in 2000.).
It is not that Rajagopal got Nair vote,LDF rebel vote,....in fact people voted against the neglect of various governments shown towards their constituency.

Again the elected people succeeded in getting the same score of 0/100 (Vattapoojyam).So is the port minister.

it was evident from day one......recapping....etho oru Ecom companikku quotation kodukkan pokukayanu,.....aazhimala shipyard proposal turned to ezhimala overnight (shhhh spelling mistake aaa,....)

Now this gives you the simple and logical reason why UDF candidate,Selvaraj could manage won by a simple margin in Neyyatinkara despite herculean effort put by leaders,while BJP candidate managed to multiply its vote bank(don't forget that it was Rajagopal,who contributed best ever development to Nemom,Neyyatinkara and Parasala during his tenure as railway minister for state in 2000.).
It is not that Rajagopal got Nair vote,LDF rebel vote,....in fact people voted against the neglect of various governments shown towards their constituency.

Somebody is seriously misguiding Kerala Govt. If the Traffic Forecast is not favourable, no genuine port operator will show interest in the project.

More than 80% of the Indian portion of transhipment cargo at colombo is for the south Indian ports of Tuticorin, Chennai and Cochin. There is hardly any colombo transshipment cargo to west coast Indian ports at Mumbai, JNPT and Gujarat ports. Because about 60-70% of the cargo has to travel another 500 to 1500 km by road/rail to Haryana, UP and National Capital Region. So, it will not be economical to transship goods from Cochin/Vizhinjam to other west coast port which requires further long distance multi modal transport. Also, cargo to Chennai and Tuticorin will naturally be transshipped from Sri Lanka any day. What is left for cochin/vizhinjam is only cochin cargo.

The only remedy for development of mega ports in Kerala is by allowing large scale industries and better hinterland connectivity.

The purpose of a deep water transshipment port is to allow the use of the largest possible ships that result in the lowest possible shipping costs. Cargo transshipped at Vizhinjam will travel to and from other ports by sea not by road/rail means. Since no Indian port can handle true mainline services (8000+ TEUs), almost every container from or to Europe or North America gets transshipped at Colombo, Dubai or Singapore. If Vizhinjam is designed to use it natural draft of 18+ m to handle ships of 10,000 TEUs and above , there is no reason why it cannot draw transshipment traffic away from the existing hubs. This is especially the case for ports along the South Coast (Mangalore to Chennai) as well as potentially along the East Coast since the distance from Vizhinjam or Colombo is pretty much the same, whereas the latter carries more geopolitical risk because of Srilanka's increasing closeness to China.

The idea should be to attract the very latest and biggest ships such as the Emma Maersk or Triple-E classes which would be best deployed to call at only one port in India with minimum deviation from the main shipping lane. The key aspect is to get a good operator which itself has a shipping line or has strong connections to the main lines. For this, the port has to be designed to accommodate ships that no other Indian port can.

That said, it makes a lot of sense to enhance the inland connectivity to attract cargo from key sources such as Coimbatore and Bangalore. This is why Kerala should be pushing for a mixed use rail corridor instead of deluding itself with day dreams of bullet trains!

More than 80% of the Indian portion of transhipment cargo at colombo is for the south Indian ports of Tuticorin, Chennai and Cochin. There is hardly any colombo transshipment cargo to west coast Indian ports at Mumbai, JNPT and Gujarat ports.

The only remedy for development of mega ports in Kerala is by allowing large scale industries and better hinterland connectivity.
Vizhinjam is ideal location for Transhipment port due to its unique natural deep draft available & neednot require large scale industries in their vicinity as is shown by growth of Colombo port in past.

Pls check traffic study from http://vizhinjamport.in/traffic-study.html, some clippings put below:-
Executive Summary of Container Shipment Economics Study (CSES)

Container traffic growth will continue to be dramatic and that by 2016-17, the country will handle 15.64 million TEU.
However, because of inadequate facilities and distance from international shipping routes, present Indian gateway ports do not attract a sufficient number of mainline vessels. Investigations by consultants indicate that as a result, some 61% of Indian export/import containers are transshipped through the nearby foreign ports of Colombo, Singapore & Salalah resulting in an additional burden of upto USD 200 per TEU to cargo interests with freight paid by Indian exporters being as much as 11.4% of CIF value of goods as against a world average of 6.1%.



Cost through current gateway port with transshipment at foreign port as in Fig 1
http://vizhinjamport.in/images/foriegnport_fig01.jpg


Cost through Vizhinjam without transshipment at foreign port as in Fig.2
http://vizhinjamport.in/images/foriegnport_fig02.jpg

Consultants report the following findings:

As much as 69% of the country’s total container traffic originates in or is bound for northern and western India, with the south accounting for 26% and the east a mere 5%. Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust handles 58% of this total traffic.



61% of the total container traffic is transshipped through the ports of Colombo, Singapore and Salalah.



Based on their computations and analysis, Consultants find that notwithstanding the location of Vizhinjam in the deep south of the Indian peninsula not only cargo interests in southern India but also in northern and western India (though for specified movements) may find it viable to use Vizhinjam as a gateway / transshipment port instead of transshipping their cargo through Colombo, Singapore or Salalah.



Movements to/from western foreign sectors from/to southern India were found viable with both 4500 TEU and 8000 TEU capacity vessels out of Vizhinjam and from/tonorthern India with 8000 TEU vessels.

=======================================

Presently almost all the traffic to/from the north and west ports of India are between Gateway Ports and Foreign Destination Ports without any transshipment at Salalah, Colmbo or Singapore. VISL has to compete with these foreign hubs for only tranffic to ports in south India like Tuticorin, Chennai and Cochin only.

Now the L&T's ICTT at Kattupalli near Chennai is ready for commissioning and awaiting Customs clearance. So more challenges for VISL.

The Strategic Concept Report (clause 6.1.1) prepared by IFC and available at VISL website notes the following:

In a business as usual scenario, Vizhinjam Port is expected to attract low volume of gateway traffic, i.e. port traffic originating in or destined for Kerala. This is primarily because of lack of industry in the immediate hinterland of the port. In absence of significant gateway traffic, the port has to necessarily depend on transshipment traffic. This poses some issues:


a. A port based primarily on transshipment traffic is a high risk investment that not many credible and experienced investors will be willing to bid for. This is corroborated by investor consultations with domestic and international private players. Large investments in greenfield ports are rarely planned based primarily on transshipment traffic, because transshipment traffic is very unpredictable and shipping lines are known to switch from one port to another at the slightest of reasons. For example, Maersk switched its transshipment from Singapore to the new facility at Tanjung Pelepas suddenly. One way of mitigating this traffic risk is to lock in a major shipping line as an investor. However, in the wake of substantial losses in 2008-09 and the continued uncertainty in the global trade scenario, very few major container shipping lines would have the appetite to bid for and invest in a greenfield port. Moreover, if a shipping line has plans to invest in the Project, with a view to making it its transshipment hub, then competing shipping lines are likely to stay away, fearing a differential service and pricing.

b. A port based primarily on transshipment traffic does not have significant linkages and synergies with the local economy. As a result one of the key priorities of the Government of Kerala, i.e. development of Kerala, is unlikely to be served optimally, if the port develops primarily as a transshipment port.


Achieving the short term goal of a successful bid, as well as the long term goal of economic development requires that the Vizhinjam Project should be planned, not merely as a stand-alone port project, but as a larger development, whereby area near the port is developed as industrial and/or logistical hub, offering opportunity for synergies between the port and the Kerala economy and at the same time providing medium to long term gateway traffic growth at the port.

As per market study reports, there is definite cost advantage for Indian importers/exporters if cargo from South/North/West India routed through proposed Vizhinjam transhipment port due to economy of scale using higher capacity vessels above 11000TEU. Presently no port in India other than proposed vizhinjam can offer or even think of 20m or above draft for such mother vessels near to int'l shipping channels. :)

Iam sure many investors find that risk taken for investment in a transhipment port that can offer unique geographical features like Vizhinjam is worth it and seen by the enthusiasm from number of firms that bid for VISL in 2011. So I still stand by my position that Vizhinjam is primarily targetted for transhipment container traffic that is bound to save thousands of crores of rupees in container trade for India and help raise Indian economy in future by leaps and bounds. Please correct me if Iam wrong.

Please check below past report on Vizhinjam advantages for transhipment:-
http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2007-10-16/news/29486197_1_ports-large-container-vessels-transshipment
For a transshipment hub in India
Maurya Velpula Oct 16, 2007
While ports are traditionally classified as major or minor ports, it is difficult to define transshipment ports in these terms as they target mostly international traffic. The qualities which such ports should possess are hence quite distinct from traditional ports, and therefore few ports world-wide can claim to be truly transshipment hubs.

Transshipment ports have highly specialised infrastructure facilities for handling different types of freight and act as switching points for cargo carried by deep-sea vessels operating on trans-continental trade routes. The ratio of transit cargo handled by these ports is very high, compared to locally bound cargo. Such ports, therefore, need to be adjacent to international shipping lines and possess deep draft to accommodate large vessels.

A look at the shipping routes for Asia-Pacific and Atlantic Rim distinctly underlines the unique locational advantages India possesses. Most of the major ships carrying cargo between America and East Asia, between East Asia and Africa, and between Europe and East Asia pass via Indian territorial waters. Most of these ships either break their bulk at Colombo, or at Hong Kong/Singapore. Eighty per cent of Indian containers are transshipped at Colombo, Singapore and Dubai, and Indian ships account for 60-70% of Colombo's traffic.

Moreover, with changing technology, bigger single-engine vessels (Post–Malaccamax and Post-Panamamax) are becoming popular due to economies of scale. Concept designs for ships up to 18,000 TEUs already exist and by 2011 a total of 490 such large container vessels will be seaborne. Typically a vessel greater than 6,000 TEUs in size requires water depth greater than 16 metres which has to be artificially created in most transshipment hubs.

Natural depth and proximity to international shipping lines are the two most important criteria for transshipment hubs. While all major Indian ports like Mumbai, Chennai, Mangalore and Tuticorin have natural depths of 10-14 metres, Vizhinjam (Kerala) has a depth of 20 metres. Being just 10 nautical miles away from international lines, it is also better located than ports like Mumbai and Chennai which are both 480 nautical miles away. Coupled with other advantages like low tidal variation and little littoral drift, Vizhinjam holds the maximum potential to be the next major transshipment hub. Hence investment in the Vizhinjam port should be able to yield very high returns.
===================================================

Presently almost all the traffic to/from the north and west ports of India are between Gateway Ports and Foreign Destination Ports without any transshipment at Salalah, Colmbo or Singapore. VISL has to compete with these foreign hubs for only tranffic to ports in south India like Tuticorin, Chennai and Cochin only.

Now the L&T's ICTT at Kattupalli near Chennai is ready for commissioning and awaiting Customs clearance. So more challenges for VISL.

The Strategic Concept Report (clause 6.1.1) prepared by IFC and available at VISL website notes the following:

In a business as usual scenario, Vizhinjam Port is expected to attract low volume of gateway traffic, i.e. port traffic originating in or destined for Kerala. This is primarily because of lack of industry in the immediate hinterland of the port. In absence of significant gateway traffic, the port has to necessarily depend on transshipment traffic. This poses some issues:


a. A port based primarily on transshipment traffic is a high risk investment that not many credible and experienced investors will be willing to bid for. This is corroborated by investor consultations with domestic and international private players. Large investments in greenfield ports are rarely planned based primarily on transshipment traffic, because transshipment traffic is very unpredictable and shipping lines are known to switch from one port to another at the slightest of reasons. For example, Maersk switched its transshipment from Singapore to the new facility at Tanjung Pelepas suddenly. One way of mitigating this traffic risk is to lock in a major shipping line as an investor. However, in the wake of substantial losses in 2008-09 and the continued uncertainty in the global trade scenario, very few major container shipping lines would have the appetite to bid for and invest in a greenfield port. Moreover, if a shipping line has plans to invest in the Project, with a view to making it its transshipment hub, then competing shipping lines are likely to stay away, fearing a differential service and pricing.

b. A port based primarily on transshipment traffic does not have significant linkages and synergies with the local economy. As a result one of the key priorities of the Government of Kerala, i.e. development of Kerala, is unlikely to be served optimally, if the port develops primarily as a transshipment port.


Achieving the short term goal of a successful bid, as well as the long term goal of economic development requires that the Vizhinjam Project should be planned, not merely as a stand-alone port project, but as a larger development, whereby area near the port is developed as industrial and/or logistical hub, offering opportunity for synergies between the port and the Kerala economy and at the same time providing medium to long term gateway traffic growth at the port.

If china can do why not India.Please refer my earlier posts on Chinese posts.
Regarding the primary and secondary hinterland,there is ample of Industries in south TN which is likely to grow in addition to industrial areas in South Kerala.

You cannot compare China with India presently. Chinese ports (excluding Hongkong which has 60% traffic in transshipment) mainly cater to Exim cargo.

Anyway, investing on port infrastructure of world class standard with 18 m + draft is bound to attract attention of shipping lines. Simultaneously, GoK should create a conducive industrial climate in the region and encourage large scale industrial development to generate Exim cargo for the port.

GoK/GoI should invest in construction of basic port infrastructure which may take minimum 7-8 years minimum. It does not require technical support of non-players like welspun in any manner.

Economic situation in India and elsewhere hopefully turns for the better in next 3-4y years time. Marine Construction Works also would have reached comfortable stage when the real port operators/shipping lines will take interest in the project. Then only GoK should invite bids for the port operator and NOT NOW.

You cannot compare China with India presently. Chinese ports (excluding Hongkong which has 60% traffic in transshipment) mainly cater to Exim cargo.

Anyway, investing on port infrastructure of world class standard with 18 m + draft is bound to attract attention of shipping lines. Simultaneously, GoK should create a conducive industrial climate in the region and encourage large scale industrial development to generate Exim cargo for the port.

GoK/GoI should invest in construction of basic port infrastructure which may take minimum 7-8 years minimum. It does not require technical support of non-players like welspun in any manner.

Economic situation in India and elsewhere hopefully turns for the better in next 3-4y years time. Marine Construction Works also would have reached comfortable stage when the real port operators/shipping lines will take interest in the project. Then only GoK should invite bids for the port operator and NOT NOW.

A) I agree that comparison to Chinese ports is not the most ideal one that can be made, especially when there are ports out there like Salalah or Tanjung Pelapas, which depend on transshipment for more than 90% of their throughput or even Singapore, Hong Kong or Dubai where transshipment accounts for the majority of throughput.

B) With a competent contractor like L&T, construction of Phase I would take 36 months or so, not 7-8 years.

C) The importance of an operator comes from the perspective of finalizing a business plan which will be a crucial input for the master plan according to which the EPC process moves forward. Additionally, the presence of a capable operator also bolsters the process of financial closure for the EPC component.

I agree that a non-operator like Welspun does not bring in any advantages in this respect unless they can bring in a top-flight operator before they are awarded the tender, something which looks very unlikely, if not a closed question, at this point.

Good that some decent discussion is on instead of jingoistic blogs!

We all can express our opinions, but the decision makers have their own minds. It looks like they are going to appoint some port operator first and give him right of refusal for marine works. At the current rate of progress it could take another one year.

Most important aspect of new port construction is selection of quarries and getting statutory approvals, trial blasts, approach roads for transport, etc. The quarries identified for VISL are more than 50 km away. VISL should complete these well in advance for L&T like companies to complete work in 3-4 years time.

Good that some decent discussion is on instead of jingoistic blogs!

Lol, I think we have managed to maintain a decent standard here all long, thank you.

We all can express our opinions, but the decision makers have their own minds. It looks like they are going to appoint some port operator first and give him right of refusal for marine works. At the current rate of progress it could take another one year.

Sad, but true. However, what we can do is to try and influence those decision makers. To not make an effort and then complain is futile. There is no harm in giving it a shot, one never knows where a receptive mind may be.

Most important aspect of new port construction is selection of quarries and getting statutory approvals, trial blasts, approach roads for transport, etc. The quarries identified for VISL are more than 50 km away. VISL should complete these well in advance for L&T like companies to complete work in 3-4 years time.

There are multiple quarry options available to VISL in Trivandrum district and across the border in S. Tamilnadu. Most of these are operational and hence there is a decent idea of the geology, yield, rock type and access. I'd say that the quarries are a more distant concern than the EIA, the Masterplan, financial closure and the EPC tender process. Fingers crossed on each of those.

But it's always good to keep a quality discussion open here. I'd doubt anyone else is doing so.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JULY 23:
Re-tender of the Vizhinjam international seaport and container transhipment terminal is now a matter of time. A final decision would be taken by the State Cabinet, which is now seized of the matter, the State Minister for Ports, Mr K. Babu told Business Line.

SINGLE BID

This came about as an empowered committee chaired by the chief secretary arrived at the conclusion that pursuing the single bid received was not in the State’s interests.The committee in turn conveyed its observations to the State cabinet. It would take up the matter for discussion at the ‘earliest possible’ opportunity.

“If not this week, then probably during the next,” the minister said.

The sole bid by a Welspun Infratech-led consortium for such a large and prestigious project had propped up its own procedural issues, holding up a decision.The consortium emerged as the sole bidder after the centre refused security clearance to Adani Ports, which too had entered the last round of bidding.Mr Babu described as unacceptable the demand by the Welspun consortium to provide a grant of Rs 479 crore, which was later revised to Rs 399.55 crore.

COMMITTED TO PROJECT

But the minister was confident that this would not in any way diminish investor interest as and when the multi-thousand crore project was brought up for re-tender.The State Government was committed to disproving eternal pessimists “who have doubted the State’s capacity to promote and implement big infrastructure projects,” he said.It was hoped the project would get the environment impact assessment (EIA) clearance, the process for which has entered an advanced stage.

CABOTAGE EXEMPTION

More importantly, it expects to lobby with the Centre to grant exemption from cabotage provisions.“We have already made this proposal with respect to the Vallarpadam container transhipment terminal and expect a favourable decision soon,” the State minister of ports said.EIA clearance, cabotage exemption and basic infrastructure that the Government is setting up as ‘landlord’ would combine to make Vizhinjam a compelling proposition, he added.

Source (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article3675178.ece)

Back to Square One! I do wish this Government puts its money where it's mouth is and tried to be a little bit more creative and pragmatic in the weeks and months ahead.

+1
For some pet projects, single bid seems not a problem but for some others viz. vizhinjam that happens to be on wrong side of the state map, it seems otherwise..hmmm..:ohno:

And strangely for whose benefit cabotage law issue is tagged with Vizhinjam now for which construction is yet to begin... seems more to help their pet projects than vizhinjam..:bash:

Pilla veendum pathil thottu.
and so is the elected members of whole state,.....Shame .

Why is the so called Opposition silent ?

Ithavaneyum ithu nadanillel,palareyum peru pattikku idanti varum.

^^

എന്നിട്ടുവേണം പട്ടികള്* പേ പിടിച്ചു ചാവാന്* :lol:

A. Instead of re-bidding, MHA (Home Ministry) should be requested to give Security Clearance to Adani. Since Adani could optimise development at their ports, GoK may expect a better offer. In case of JNPT dredging project, Hyundai was qualified after other bidders had submitted price bids. They were allowed to submit price bids separately.

B. Relaxation of cabotage laws is doubtful. No other country with large Exim cargo has done that.

C. If there are multiple quarries, then problems are more for obvious reasons. Instead of waiting for EPC contract award, the government shall go ahead with competitive bidding for supply of breakwater materials similar to Ennore Port model. This will save 2 years for the EPC contractor. You may refer to http://www.terra-et-aqua.com/dmdocuments/Terra-et-Aqua_nr79_02.pdf

A. Instead of re-bidding, MHA (Home Ministry) should be requested to give Security Clearance to Adani. Since Adani could optimise development at their ports, GoK may expect a better offer. In case of JNPT dredging project, Hyundai was qualified after other bidders had submitted price bids. They were allowed to submit price bids separately.

This is assuming that the Adanis have submitted a better price bid than Welspun and since there seems to be some mysterious reason for the Adanis' flunking security clearance every single time in the last two years, it'd probably not be very likely that they will get clearance even if the State Government could push their case once more (they don't seem very interested despite having a MoS for Home from Kerala!).

B. Relaxation of cabotage laws is doubtful. No other country with large Exim cargo has done that.

I agree. I believe that the Cabotage issue is more an excuse than a real issue. If there is a real market demand for local shipping, it will be met, especially since there is a glut of capacity right now.

C. If there are multiple quarries, then problems are more for obvious reasons. Instead of waiting for EPC contract award, the government shall go ahead with competitive bidding for supply of breakwater materials similar to Ennore Port model. This will save 2 years for the EPC contractor. You may refer to http://www.terra-et-aqua.com/dmdocuments/Terra-et-Aqua_nr79_02.pdf

I am not sure if I confused you by saying that there are multiple quarry options. I didn't mean that the material would have to be sourced from multiple quarries at the same time but that more than one option is available for sourcing. That said, the pre-selection of quarry might be a good option, I only wonder whether the EPC contractor may do a better job of negotiation that the Government which has its usual issues, not least of which is the threat of collusion.

Thanks!

The Vizhinjam International Container Transshipment Terminal project has run into fresh trouble with the empowered committee on the project recommending to the government not to entertain Welspun consortium’s demand for Rs 399.5 crore grant.

The committee headed by chief secretary K. Jayakumar said there was no need to award any grant for implementing the project. The Welspun consortium, which is technically qualified, should be allowed to take up the project only if it agreed to implement it without any grant.

Otherwise, the government should go for fresh tenders, observed the empowered committee. Though the committee’s recommendation was discussed in the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, a decision was not taken. The next Cabinet meeting is likely to take a final decision in the matter.

Source (http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/thiruvananthapuram/no-vizhinjam-grant-welspun-panel-749)

Apparently, the Government has to be strict about bids.....especially if the project concerned happens to be in or around Trivandrum.

http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/9198/vzmkk2607.jpg

Source: Kerala Kaumudi

http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/5203/vzmmm2607.jpg

Source: Malayala Manorama

Sure smell some rat... Shame on GoK and some of its regionalistic ministers..Delay tactics seem successfully executed again this time by those against this project.. :bash:

what a pity Govt. of Kerala (I guess Trivandrum is not in Kerala anymore :ohno::bash:

^^
Now you can write your Now you can write your grievance to :
Ports Minister at
minister-fisheries@kerala.gov.in
ministerkbabu@gmail.com

or

write a complaint to CM at http://cmcc.kerala.gov.in/fnd/online/mod/complaint/new.php

or at citizen journalist.

http://70.38.12.5/skeralam/

Maybe we should ask Welspun to appoint a certain old gentleman found in the vicinity of Ponnani as their consultant. Then there would be no need of a tender.....! :lol:

Hope, the intention is clear now, why Welspun's bid is rejected. ;)

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/1999/vzmkk2707.jpg

Source: Kerala Kaumudi

^^
The idea seems to be to frustrate and torture Welspun and make them withdraw themselves from this .. and then the Gulfies can get together and snatch some pieces of the pie!! But our current negotiators don't realise the fact that the political climate at the centre will change soon.

I am all for the port. The government should raise funds and proceed on its own. I had understood that the banks were open to financing the project. Why should we give grants to private parties? Recruit appropriate talent worldwide. Get consultants from around the world for a project team and pay them if needed 500 to 1000USD per day to get the job done! The fly in the ointment is the calibre of our state leadership. They probably cannot manage a pissup in a brewery.

^^
The idea seems to be to frustrate and torture Welspun and make them withdraw themselves from this .. and then the Gulfies can get together and snatch some pieces of the pie!! But our current negotiators don't realise the fact that the political climate at the centre will change soon.

A third grade local biweekly mag named ' Pathram' is the organisation behind the current VISL controversies.
They have been cooking news and provoking people for last few months.
Don't know what their intentions are .

With the way that things are going with Vizhinjam, our discussions here on SSC would probably be the most serious and sincere on how the project can be improved, these could then be brought to the notice of the concerned authorities.

I look forward to your comments and feedback on my latest blog post (http://tvmrising.blogspot.com/2012/07/who-needs-world-class-portand-god-of.html), which brings in feedback from a few of my friends as well, including someone with a specialized background in port design. Hope to hear your comments soon. Thanks!

I feel the committee headed by chief secretary was just a tool in the hands of UDF and have given a report against welpson consortium who had been willing to sacrifice a lot for vizhinjam. The next time tender is invited some companies may participate, and the one which is not selected would move the court against the selected one and force it to withdraw from the bid process ( as had happened earlier when lanco was awarded work, and zoom went to high court and supreme court and succeeded in forcing lanco to move out of the race). This time if welpson was awarded work, there would not have been any other challenge to the same, as welpson consortium was the only one succeeded in getting security clearance. What would happen if we again go for a global tender? whether the same episodes would again be played or not only god knows...

I feel the committee headed by chief secretary was just a tool in the hands of UDF and have given a report against welpson consortium who had been willing to sacrifice a lot for vizhinjam. The next time tender is invited some companies may participate, and the one which is not selected would move the court against the selected one and force it to withdraw from the bid process ( as had happened earlier when lanco was awarded work, and zoom went to high court and supreme court and succeeded in forcing lanco to move out of the race). This time if welpson was awarded work, there would not have been any other challenge to the same, as welpson consortium was the only one succeeded in getting security clearance. What would happen if we again go for a global tender? whether the same episodes would again be played or not only god knows...

Absolutely correct Hari. Some body in current gov wants to penetrate some non capable Dubai company inside. For that they need to kick out Welspun by citing childish reasons. We all know the fate of two hyped projects that Dubai companies executed or executing in our state.

With the way that things are going with Vizhinjam, our discussions here on SSC would probably be the most serious and sincere on how the project can be improved, these could then be brought to the notice of the concerned authorities.

I look forward to your comments and feedback on my latest blog post (http://tvmrising.blogspot.com/2012/07/who-needs-world-class-portand-god-of.html), which brings in feedback from a few of my friends as well, including someone with a specialized background in port design. Hope to hear your comments soon. Thanks!

No need to get emotional as this is not the only port project in India getting inordinately delayed. The following points shall be borne in mind by the concerned authorities:

1. If Vizhinjam is to be developed as multi cargo port cum container transshipment hub on Landlord model basis, what is the logic in appointing a single operator. JNPT has already 3 container terminal operator where all the basic infrastructure was planned and constructed by port. Same is the case world all over.

2. Potential operators will not blindly go by the projections by the Client. They will do their own viability study. Drewry is one of the first consultants they most likely to approach.

3. VISL is one of the very very few organisation in India which is transparently publishing all the reports and project status in its website. But I agree that this mega project is beyond the capacity of state politicians and babus. Government of India only can develop this project in the Ennore Port or JNPT model as a Major Port or corporate port.

No need to get emotional as this is not the only port project in India getting inordinately delayed.

You are right, Rao, there is no point in getting emotional but as far as most of us here are concerned, including yours truly, the fact that other port and infra projects are getting delayed is scant comfort.

The following points shall be borne in mind by the concerned authorities:

1. If Vizhinjam is to be developed as multi cargo port cum container transshipment hub on Landlord model basis, what is the logic in appointing a single operator. JNPT has already 3 container terminal operator where all the basic infrastructure was planned and constructed by port. Same is the case world all over.

Agreed. Either there should be a single operator with the power to operate multiple terminals - container, LNG and cruise - or separate terminal operators for each use or for which terminal, in the case of multiple container terminals. A single, comprehensive operator can consider multiple revenue streams.

2. Potential operators will not blindly go by the projections by the Client. They will do their own viability study. Drewry is one of the first consultants they most likely to approach.

This is where we may need to draw the distinction between seasoned operators and consortiums such as those of Welspun, which are focused on construction rather than operation. IFC left a loophole in the bid allowing consortiums without an operator partner to bid for the operations bid, which turned out to be disastrous.

I don't doubt Drewery's capabilities for a second, but there does seem to be a deliberate underestimation of the potential of the port in its market study, which significantly reduced the container demand estimated in Ramboll's earlier study and paid little more than lip service to other traffic sources. IFC's project report also did not do much to promote the project when as the project consultant, it was its prime responsibility to do so.

If the project's own promoters espouse doubts about its viability, how many operators do you think will spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to conduct independent market studies?

3. VISL is one of the very very few organisation in India which is transparently publishing all the reports and project status in its website. But I agree that this mega project is beyond the capacity of state politicians and babus. Government of India only can develop this project in the Ennore Port or JNPT model as a Major Port or corporate port.

VISL published documents related to the operator tender days AFTER the bid was opened. It's yet to publish any documents related to the ongoing Master Plan process and has just published the 2007 and 2004 study documents, from which the current one has deducted a lot of traffic volume. Well, as you said, something is better than nothing.

I don't think handing Vizhinjam over to the Ministry of Shipping will speed things up, in view of the abysmal pace of development of projects under the MoS. In fact, we risk making it the last priority on their list, in view of the fact that Kerala has been unable to swing much wait at the Center lately, despite its 20 MPs. Moreover, it would bring the project under the purview of TAMP and also slow down the process of decision making by adding extra layers of bureaucracy.

The best choice seems to be the Landlord model chosen by the previous model, but to beef up VISL's capabilities and to identify a capable "master operator" at the very earliest to chart out its development plan and to market it as aggressively as possible.

No need to get emotional as this is not the only port project in India getting inordinately delayed. The following points shall be borne in mind by the concerned authorities:


3. VISL is one of the very very few organisation in India which is transparently publishing all the reports and project status in its website. But I agree that this mega project is beyond the capacity of state politicians and babus. Government of India only can develop this project in the Ennore Port or JNPT model as a Major Port or corporate port.

It is true that this mega project is beyond the capability of Kerala politicians and babus, and that is why we thought identifying a credible operator first would help them plan it more professionally. But that is not to be, things are getting misdirected by coalition political partners. As Ajay pointed out, despite having 20MPS as part of the ruling class at the center, and that is indeed the most favorable weather in its political history, our so called negotiators appear as consultants for a marriage portal.

So much trouble for bringing in just one operator, and you think bringing multiple operators so easy (in Kerala)??

Our babus are very good at kicking out potential investors in port projects. Take the examples of JNPT which handles more than 60% of India's container traffic:

1. Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) has offered 51% revenue share (this is unheard of anywhere in the world) for the 4th Container Terminal with a capacity of more than 4 M TEU. It is one of the Top 10 port operators worldwide. But there is no clarity in the tender regarding who will bear the Stamp Duty (Rs. 50 Cr) towards registration of Concession Agreement. Both parties are not willing to pay and it is almost certain the tender will be cancelled. See, we are ready to forego revenue share of more than rs. 500 cr for a mere Rs. 50 Cr.

2. The tender for deepening of JNPT Approach Channel is hanging on for more than 10 years. Consultancy tenders were dischrged 3 times and work tender two times. Now they have price bid within their budget. But even after a month, there is no movement. I will not be surprised if this tender is also discharged on flimsy grounds.

The problem with Vizhinjam is that the progress has reached tender stage when the both the Indian and world economy is down very much. Genuine operators are watching developments without offering any commitments in the developing countries.

VISL should go ahead with EPC tender as I suggested earlier. AECOM/IFC/VISL can obtain inputs from various operators for Terminals for Container, Cruise, LNG, Shipyard, General and Liquid Cargo, etc. through EOI and other channels concurrently.

^^ - An updated market study won't hurt either. Yes, the EPC process has to proceed, with due consultation with the industry, although I am not sure how comprehensive this interaction would be before a serious operator is identified. It's critical that the EPC tender should not be floated before a master plan that maximizes the potential of the port, rather than minimizing its cost, is prepared.

Btw, thanks for the feedback on my blog post. :)

GoK officially rejected Welspun's bid.New tender only after getting the Environmental Clearance !

GoK officially rejected Welspun's bid.New tender only after getting the Environmental Clearance !

:bash::bash::bash:

വിഴിഞ്ഞം തുറമുഖ നടത്തിപ്പിന് ടെന്ഡര് ലഭിച്ച ഏക കമ്പനി വെല്സ്പണ് ആയിരുന്നു. എന്നാല് പദ്ധതി നടത്തിപ്പിന് 479.5 കോടി രൂപ ഗ്രാന്റ് അനുവദിക്കണമെന്ന് കമ്പനി ആവശ്യപ്പെട്ടതാണ് ടെന്ഡര് റദ്ദാക്കാന് സര്ക്കാരിനെ പ്രേരിപ്പിച്ചത്. ഗ്രാന്റ് നല്കാനാവില്ലെന്ന് സര്ക്കാര് ഉറച്ചുനിന്നതോടെ 80 കോടി രൂപ കുറയ്ക്കാന് കമ്പനി തയ്യാറായി. എന്നാല് സീറോ ഗ്രാന്റില് പദ്ധതി നടപ്പാക്കണമെന്നണ് സര്ക്കാര് നിര്ദേശം ഇതിനോട് കമ്പനി യോജിക്കാത്ത സാഹചര്യത്തിലാണ് റീ ടെന്ഡര് വിളിക്കാന് തീരുമാനമായത്.

റീ ടെന്ഡര് വിളിച്ചാല് കൂടുതല് കമ്പനികള് പങ്കെടുക്കാന് താല്പര്യം പ്രകടിപ്പിച്ചിരുന്നു. തുറമുഖത്തിന്റെ നിര്മ്മാണവും അടിസ്ഥാന സൗകര്യ വികസനവും നടപ്പാക്കിയ ശേഷം നടത്തിപ്പ് ടെന്ഡര് ക്ഷണിക്കാനാണ് സര്ക്കാര് തീരുമാനം.

:bash::bash::bash:

വിഴിഞ്ഞം തുറമുഖ നടത്തിപ്പിന് ടെന്ഡര് ലഭിച്ച ഏക കമ്പനി വെല്സ്പണ് ആയിരുന്നു. എന്നാല് പദ്ധതി നടത്തിപ്പിന് 479.5 കോടി രൂപ ഗ്രാന്റ് അനുവദിക്കണമെന്ന് കമ്പനി ആവശ്യപ്പെട്ടതാണ് ടെന്ഡര് റദ്ദാക്കാന് സര്ക്കാരിനെ പ്രേരിപ്പിച്ചത്. ഗ്രാന്റ് നല്കാനാവില്ലെന്ന് സര്ക്കാര് ഉറച്ചുനിന്നതോടെ 80 കോടി രൂപ കുറയ്ക്കാന് കമ്പനി തയ്യാറായി. എന്നാല് സീറോ ഗ്രാന്റില് പദ്ധതി നടപ്പാക്കണമെന്നണ് സര്ക്കാര് നിര്ദേശം ഇതിനോട് കമ്പനി യോജിക്കാത്ത സാഹചര്യത്തിലാണ് റീ ടെന്ഡര് വിളിക്കാന് തീരുമാനമായത്.

റീ ടെന്ഡര് വിളിച്ചാല് കൂടുതല് കമ്പനികള് പങ്കെടുക്കാന് താല്പര്യം പ്രകടിപ്പിച്ചിരുന്നു. തുറമുഖത്തിന്റെ നിര്മ്മാണവും അടിസ്ഥാന സൗകര്യ വികസനവും നടപ്പാക്കിയ ശേഷം നടത്തിപ്പ് ടെന്ഡര് ക്ഷണിക്കാനാണ് സര്ക്കാര് തീരുമാനം.

So what this means?GoK will move forward with the Port megastructure construction and basic infrastructure?

^^
According to Asianet, The govt. will invite tender for the basic infrastucure and the construction of port.

നിര്*മാണത്തിനും അടിസ്ഥാന സൗകര്യ വികസനത്തിനുമുള്ള കരാറുകളാകും ആദ്യം ക്ഷണിക്കുക. ഇതിനു ശേഷം തുറമുഖ നടത്തിപ്പിനുള്ള ടെന്*ഡര്* വിളിക്കും.

http://www.metrovaartha.com/2012/08/01144419/VIZHINJAM-GOVGOFOR-RETENDER.html

http://www.asianetnews.tv/news/5256-cabinet-decides-to-cancel-vizhinjam-tender

Aadhyam Governmentinu tender vilikkum.
Pinne aa government roadinu tender vilikkum.
Road vannalee portinu tender kodukkan varunnaverku kadal kaanan pattuu.

......better wait for next three years.

Ini parayu Selvarajinu bhuripaksham yenthukondu kuranju nne ?

Ividunnoke jayichu poya emmanmar enthu parayunnu ?...Pity.

So what this means?GoK will move forward with the Port megastructure construction and basic infrastructure?

Remobecks,

VISL move ahead with its procedures whether operator is in board or not.


VISL's role:

1. Obtain all clearances including EC
2. Fund gathering
3. Construction of the basic infrastructure (road, rail, power, water supply etc)
4. Actual construction of the port (breakwater, quay, warehouse, container yard etc)

Only after these the operator comes into the frame. So it will not have much impact on VISL even if no operator is there for now.

Remobecks,

VISL move ahead with its procedures whether operator is in board or not.


VISL's role:

1. Obtain all clearances including EC
2. Fund gathering
3. Construction of the basic infrastructure (road, rail, power, water supply etc)
4. Actual construction of the port (breakwater, quay, warehouse, container yard etc)

Only after these the operator comes into the frame. So it will not have much impact on VISL even if no operator is there for now.



Hoping to see all these happen this time and sooner,fingers crossed:ohno:

When is VISL planning to go for the EC?the survey was completed on June 30th?and no news on that afterwards?Basic infrastructure work of Road connectivity is almost completed right :) Any updates on the KSEB 11 KV ,Railway Line?

Remobecks,

VISL move ahead with its procedures whether operator is in board or not.


VISL's role:

1. Obtain all clearances including EC
2. Fund gathering
3. Construction of the basic infrastructure (road, rail, power, water supply etc)
4. Actual construction of the port (breakwater, quay, warehouse, container yard etc)

Only after these the operator comes into the frame. So it will not have much impact on VISL even if no operator is there for now.

If VISL also thinks like above, it is good sign for the project.

Remobecks,

VISL move ahead with its procedures whether operator is in board or not.


VISL's role:

1. Obtain all clearances including EC
2. Fund gathering
3. Construction of the basic infrastructure (road, rail, power, water supply etc)
4. Actual construction of the port (breakwater, quay, warehouse, container yard etc)

Only after these the operator comes into the frame. So it will not have much impact on VISL even if no operator is there for now.

+100

AFAIK, Operator is needed to be finalised at earliest so that their inputs may be incorporated into infrastructure to be built by VISL in early phase itself.

VISL can very well chose multiple operators in long run to avoid monopoly of one operator. Towards that goal, GoK can request GoI to review the clearance for Mundra ports instead of cancelling the technically qualified two bids altogether which amounts to purposefully delaying the whole project!!

Visiting this thread of the so called 'Mega' project but sadly found out that even with more than 110 pages of posts from..there isn't even a brick that has yet been put in place... Disappointing! :ohno:
Im sure Kerala deserves a better performance than that..!:nuts:

Visiting this thread of the so called 'Mega' project but sadly found out that even with more than 110 pages of posts from..there isn't even a brick that has yet been put in place... Disappointing! :ohno:
Im sure Kerala deserves a better performance than that..!:nuts:

+1

AFAIK, Operator is needed to be finalised at earliest so that their inputs may be incorporated into infrastructure to be built by VISL in early phase itself.

As I have said many a time before, the operator's business plan is a critical input to the Master Plan as it needs to ensure the availability of marine infrastructure capable to meeting the needs of the same. Asking for inputs from the market will be much less effective if the entities providing the inputs have little or no interest in the project. Alternatively, VISL should update the market study, so that AECOM has the best possible inputs to create truly world-class infrastructure.

The presence of a capable operator also makes borrowing on the open markets a much easier task for the Government.

VISL can very well chose multiple operators in long run to avoid monopoly of one operator. Towards that goal, GoK can request GoI to review the clearance for Mundra ports instead of cancelling the technically qualified two bids altogether which amounts to purposefully delaying the whole project!!

I doubt whether this State Government has the clout or the interest to get Mundra re-qualified.

I'd be much happier if they devoted some energy to tying up an operator like APM Terminals or PSA via the MoU or G2G route.

http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/131/vzmmm0208.jpg

Source: Metro Manorama

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Source: Kerala Kaumudi

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Source: Mathrubhumi

Kerala govt cancels sole tender for Vizhinjam seaport project (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/Kerala-govt-cancels-sole-tender-for-Vizhinjam-seaport-project/articleshow/15322052.cms)

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government on Tuesday cancelled the bid of Welspun Infratech (India ) Limited, a private port operator and the sole bidder for the Rs 4,010-crore Vizhinjam international port project. The state government had earlier rejected the demand for a huge grant by Welspun and had asked the port operator to come with another proposal.

The expert committee headed by chief secretary and senior port officials cancelled the tender on the grounds that it was not financially viable, though Welspun had decreased their demand for grant from Rs 479.5 crore to Rs 399.5 crore.

"The state will decide on re-tendering after the port gets the mandatory environmental clearance from the Centre. But the state will go forward with the tender proceedings for engineering, procurement and construction of basic infrastructure for the port," said ports and excise minister K Babu.

"The state government is also pushing for amendment of the cabotage rule and this will benefit the proposed Vizhinjam port and Vallarpadam international container terminal greatly. Before calling for new tender proceedings, the state will also approach the Centre for viability gap funding wherein the Centre can fund 20% of the project cost," Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited managing director Suresh Babu told TOI.

He said the port is to be developed as a landlord model, whereby the port operator will prepare a master plan and tender as per the deadline. According to the plan, important works like dredging and reclamation will be done by the state government.

The port officials are of the view that the Vizhinjam port has yet to get an environmental clearance and more bidders may show interest in the project after the port gets the green nod. "The advisors to the project had earlier pointed out to the government the advantages of choosing a port operator during the initial stages of the project. But the second view is that the state may get more bidders once the eco-clearance comes through and this is considered more viable now," a senior port official said.

Is it correct to assume that the Vizhinjam project will have the dubious distinction of finding a place in the Guinness book of world records as one of the projects to have this many tenders called.
Needless to say that the project is becoming a laughing stock for many and will embolden the efforts of the detractors in putting maximum hurdles in executing the project
We are not sure yet that the next will be the last tender.


Tears!!!

Is it correct to assume that the Vizhinjam project will have the dubious distinction of finding a place in the Guinness book of world records as one of the projects to have this many tenders called.
Needless to say that the project is becoming a laughing stock for many and will embolden the efforts of the detractors in putting maximum hurdles in executing the project
We are not sure yet that the next will be the last tender.


Tears!!!

Now its clear why OC sir told 2 months back tht if vizhinjam is in some other place it wud have been completed 25yrs back..because he knew wht going to happen next...

sad to see this much regionalism factors plays which over rules the overall development of state. DP must have playes their role very well to make this not possible in next 5 yrs minimum...great work by politicians to make this still a dream

Yeah, with Sreedharan involved, we can at least dispense with the tender! :lol:

Puh-leeez!

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Source: Kerala Kaumudi

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Source: Kerala Kaumudi

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Source: Malayala Manorama

Welspun smells rat in government's rejection of bid (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/Welspun-smells-rat-in-governments-rejection-of-bid/articleshow/15331355.cms)

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Welspun Infratech (India) Limited, the private port operator for the Vizhinjam international port project, said the state government rejected its bid without any grounds, though the company was ready to pay back the 'grant' and was even ready to share profits with the government once the port became operational.

The state government on Tuesday cancelled Welspun's bid sighting that it was financially not viable. The state will now call for fresh tender after getting an environmental clearance for the Rs 4,010 crore project.

Welspun infratech officials said that it was wrong on the part of the government to cancel the bid as the company, in its final negotiations, had not asked for grant, but a loan which would be re-paid once the port becomes operational.

"We had reiterated that we were ready to repay the entire amount and also willing to share profit with the state. We were even open to the idea of a re-bid," Parvez Umirgar, managing director of Welspun Leighton Consortium told TOI. Company officials doubted whether this aspect was ever considered while taking this decision of cancelling the bid. "The management is willing to address this problem and express our discontent before the state chief minister Oommen Chandy," he said.

The officials said that the company had met all the specifications for operations of the port and the centre had approved its tender proposal. "Out of the 16 bidders, only two were shortlisted and we got the final bid as the company met with all the criteria," Dr Anil Thampy, advisor to Welpsun, said.

Welspun officials also questioned the stand taken by the government that they will call for a port operator after constructing the basic infrastructure and then get an environmental approval from the centre. "The implementing agencies that construct international ports take suggestion from the port operator before setting up basic infrastructure around the port. Ultimately, it is the port operator who has to deal with logistic and transporting issues on a daily basis. So it is important that they take the operator along, from the construction stage itself," the company official said.

The officials said that there is a growing concern that the process of re-issuing tender will be a time-consuming affair and this will delay the project once again. "The delay will increase the cost exponentially and it will become much more than the current advance sought by Welspun," the official said. Meanwhile, Vizhinjam international sea port limited MD Suresh Babu refused to comment on these allegations.

Kerala Kaumudi Editorial

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deleted

Is it the same Anil Thampy ?

Apparently yes, albeit decorated with a PhD.

Welspun shall give at least one example of a greenfield multi cargo multi terminals port development project on Landlord model in the whole world where Employer appoints a single inexperienced port operator for the whole project upfront before even Environmental Clearance.

Vizhinjam: Welspun terms government decision ‘unilateral’ (http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/thiruvananthapuram/vizhinjam-welspun-terms-government-decision-%E2%80%98unilateral%E2%80%99-094)

Welspun Consortium has taken serious exception to the ‘unilateral decision’ of the state government to cancel the operator bid for the Rs 4,010 crore Vizhinjam transhipment terminal project.

Welspun Leighton Consortium adviser Anil Thampi told Deccan Chronicle that the consortium had sought a financial assistance of Rs 399.5crore for operating the port for 30 years.

It had promised to pay back the amount once the port began making profits. “We were also willing to share the profits,” he said. The government said on Wednesday the grant component for the project was unacceptable and hence the cancellation.

The company is awaiting a formal rejection letter from the government before it decided on the next course of action –legal or other. Our plea was that we be given first preference even if the government went for a re-tender. The consortium was the only qualified bona fide bidder during the present tender, the adviser said.

Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd CEO and MD A.S. Suresh Babu said the government had not gone back on any commitment. The bid was for the pricing option. There was no provision for the grant in the tender document.

The state cabinet decided to go for the re-tender following advice from a committee headed by chief secretary K. Jayakumar that there was no need to award a grant for the project.

Welspun consortium had initially quoted a grant of Rs 479.5 crore. As the government rejected it, Welspun submitted a fresh tender reducing the figure to Rs 399.5 core.

Suresh Babu said the cancelation was not going to affect the project. The bid was only for operating the port. The process for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) bid for the project would go on as per the landlord model. Sources said the environment impact assessment (EIA) covering three seasons had been completed on July 30.

“The process for applying for environment clearance can be initiated after the results of the EIA is published on the public domain.” The global EPC bid for developing the port on the landlord model can be invited only after getting the environment clearance.

“The process for applying for environment clearance can be initiated after the results of the EIA is published on the public domain.” The global EPC bid for developing the port on the landlord model can be invited only after getting the environment clearance.

Tendering process and award of EPC Contract will take more than one year. GoK should start the process now so that the successful EPC contractor can start work immediately after Environmental Clearance is issued.

Welspun shall give at least one example of a greenfield multi cargo multi terminals port development project on Landlord model in the whole world where Employer appoints a single inexperienced port operator for the whole project upfront before even Environmental Clearance.

The condition in the bid is that the consortium has to identify and bring on board a qualified terminal operator within 60 days of being selected, in case one is not part of the consortium. The final Letter of Award will be given only after the Government is satisfied with the operator.

Thus the Project Authority will only be giving a conditional LoA at the end of the bid selection process, not a binding contract.

ANYBODY HAS ANY IDEA ABOUT THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE EIA STUDY ?

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Source: City Kaumudi
Vizhinjam: Vijayakumar sees conspiracy (http://newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/article584375.ece)

Former Ports Minister M Vijayakumar has alleged a conspiracy behind the government decision to exclude Welspun-led consortium from the Vizhinjam port project.

Vijayakumar said the government decision was intended to sabotage the project. He also called for a Vigilance inquiry into the issue. “The government rejected the tender of Welspun-led consortium citing that it was the lone participant. However it assigned AECOM, a company which does not have any experience in the ports sector, to prepare the tender document,” he said.

As I have said many a time before, the operator's business plan is a critical input to the Master Plan as it needs to ensure the availability of marine infrastructure capable to meeting the needs of the same.

+1.


I doubt whether this State Government has the clout or the interest to get Mundra re-qualified. I'd be much happier if they devoted some energy to tying up an operator like APM Terminals or PSA via the MoU or G2G route.

Kicking out welspun seems like a sherlock home mystery, revisiting Mundra nobody seems talking about, be it media or ministers. But more than that with the way things going, GoK seems moving to put this project into "emerging kerala" (forgetting the fact that vizhinjam attracted 12 firms last time even without conducting a five star grand mela) for some "pre-determined" investor. I only wish Vizhinjam's competitor "DP world" keeps away from this bid directly or indirectly via benami as they reported to have influence with some members of our ruling front and our CM is "helpless".:mad:

+1.



Kicking out welspun seems like a sherlock home mystery, revisiting Mundra nobody seems talking about, be it media or ministers. But more than that with the way things going, GoK seems moving to put this project into "emerging kerala" (forgetting the fact that vizhinjam attracted 12 firms last time even without conducting a five star grand mela) for some "pre-determined" investor. I only wish Vizhinjam's competitor "DP world" keeps away from this bid directly or indirectly via benami as they reported to have influence with some members of our ruling front and our CM is "helpless".:mad:

I have said several times that having another cook "Welspun" will further spoil the "Vizhinjam" soup. Whether "Welspun" or any world class port operator will again appoint another set of consultants for market study, business plan or port planning. If these consultants have different ideas than the VISL EPC Consultants, then GOD also will not be of help in HIS OWN COUNTRY and save the project.

The GoK has made a right move now. My concern is that they should not waste 1-2 years waiting for Environmental Clearance for floating the EPC Tender.

The State Government is seeking relaxation in Viability Gap Funding (VGF) norms for making Central assistance possible for the multi-crore Vizhinjam international container transshipment terminal project.

The state has urged the Centre to exempt it from two conditions for VGF. One, that the project should offer a service having pre-determined tariff, and, two, the VGF would be limited to 20 per cent of the project cost.

The government has made the request to Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram and Union Shipping Minister G K Vasan, Ports Minister K Babu said. The VGF comes in the form of grants and is a Central scheme for supporting infrastructure projects under PPP. The Centre will provide up to 20 per cent of the project cost as the VGF. The State Govt can add another 20 per cent to it. Another condition is that the project should be of a nature that provides services against payment of a pre-determined tariff. The conditions make the Vizhinjam project ineligible for VGF. “The concession period for the Vizhinjam port is 30 years. A pre-determined tariff is not possible in a port,” said VISL CEO A S Suresh Babu. As per latest estimates, phase-I cost of the project is Rs 4,010 crore. The private partner will shell out `970 crore and the state govt has to raise the remaining `3,040 crore. The Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL) has also asked the state govt to get the centre extend the Cabotage relaxation given to the Vallarpadom ICTT to the proposed Vizhinjam project also.

On Tuesday, CM Oommen Chandy said in New Delhi that the Shipping Ministry has agreed to exempt Vallarpadom from Cabotage which sets down that only Indian ships should transport cargo between Indian ports. In 2010 itself, project consultants International Finance Corporation (IFC) had advised the govt to seek Cabotage exemption for Vizhinjam port.

http://newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/article586009.ece

I have said several times that having another cook "Welspun" will further spoil the "Vizhinjam" soup. Whether "Welspun" or any world class port operator will again appoint another set of consultants for market study, business plan or port planning. If these consultants have different ideas than the VISL EPC Consultants, then GOD also will not be of help in HIS OWN COUNTRY and save the project.

The GoK has made a right move now. My concern is that they should not waste 1-2 years waiting for Environmental Clearance for floating the EPC Tender.

Rao, the current market study, that is serving as the input for AECOM's master plan, is fundamentally flawed. We can discuss till the cows come home, about what the flaws are and why an agency like Drewery under-played the project's potential but the fact of the matter is that half-measures will only doom the project to failure.

It cannot work as yet another of India's mediocre ports, trying to compete just with the likes of Ernakulam, Tuticorin or even Colombo. For a greenfield project to make sense, it has to be globally competitive, indeed that is the entire argument for Vizhinjam - that it can handle bigger ships than other Indian ports, with lesser deviation from the shipping channels and with greater operational efficiency.

With a lower total cost of transportation (door-to-door), and direct access to 6th gen mainline ships (as opposed to transshipment via Colombo or Dubai), Vizhinjam can also attract hinterland traffic from far and wide. Provided, of course, and it has adequate road-rail access to key origin-destination locations such as Tirunelveli, Coimbatore and Bangalore.

For all this, and I repeat, the master plan should create a port, right in Phase I, which can offer the same facilities in terms of draft and terminal infrastructure as Singapore, Colombo or Dubai. If we end up benchmarking against Indian ports in the vicinity which are struggling to even accomodate 4th and 5th gen ships, the project will fail to attract major lines/operators and ultimately the sort of volumes it needs, even if GoK throws thousands of Crores of rupees into the sea. Thus, ploughing ahead blindly with the EPC work, in the traditional build-it-and-they-will-come philosophy will be disaster of epic proportions.

It's not a question of building something but rather of building the RIGHT thing. Only someone wishing to see this project doom itself to ignominy would urge otherwise.

The State Government is seeking relaxation in Viability Gap Funding (VGF) norms for making Central assistance possible for the multi-crore Vizhinjam international container transshipment terminal project.

The VGF norms are clear and have been binding on projects for many years now. It's well nigh impossible that GoI will make an exception for Vizhinjam when this will open the floodgates for all sorts of projects to ask for the same treatment. Tying the project down to pre-determined norms will negate the advantage of being outside the purview of TAMP, so VGF is not the right way to proceed.

At best, it sounds like yet another excuse, in addition to the EC, that the State Government can use for years to come to justify why the project is not making any progress - "it's the Center's fault, not ours, we have been waiting to hear back from them!"

The best strategy is to use all energies and persuasive resources possible to get peripheral infrastructure investment from GoI, which is outside the purview of VGF restrictions. This could be in the form of road-rail capacity addition - 6-laning of the NH 66, an Outer Ring Road (already approved under NHDP Phase VII), development of the road to Tirunelveli via Kottur and Ambasamudram etc - or the support of organizations such as Concor, IR and SCI. After all, we are owed a lot of back taxes for the infrastructure investment that GoI has NOT made in Kerala over the last 20 years.

I have said several times that having another cook "Welspun" will further spoil the "Vizhinjam" soup.

On the contrary, I feel there is something more to it.. there were two qualified bidders out of 12 firms that showed interest in 2011 and still none choosen... :bash:

In past, GoI denied clearance to Kumar group citing Chinese firm partner as security risk, then next time Zoom torpedoed Lanco using legal loopholes in our Indian judiciary and now GoI denies one qualified bidder clearance followed by GoK kicking out other qualified bidder... Now if somebody like you say that all these are incidental and good for Vizhinjam, many like me find it hard to believe..My gut feeling says more likely there may be many who are laughing their way to bank for getting this project delayed indefinitely...^^

The GoK has made a right move now.
Right move for what.. delaying this project..? Do you also say GoI was right in denying clearances to kumar/mundra etc..?

For a greenfield project to make sense, it has to be globally competitive, indeed that is the entire argument for Vizhinjam - that it can handle bigger ships than other Indian ports, with lesser deviation from the shipping channels and with greater operational efficiency.

With a lower total cost of transportation and direct access to 6th gen mainline ships , Vizhinjam can also attract hinterland traffic. Provided adequate road-rail access to key origin-destination locations such as Tirunelveli, Coimbatore and Bangalore.

For all this, and I repeat, the master plan should create a port, right in Phase I, It's not a question of building something but rather of building the RIGHT thing.

+1. If Vizhinjam needs to propel India into higher economic growth for 21st century, GoK/GoI needs to apply their brains, accord priority to projects based on merit than regional bias & act with vision; not just copy/paste existing major ports in India that were meant to cater to needs of 19th/20th century.

On the contrary, I feel there is something more to it.. there were two qualified bidders out of 12 firms that showed interest in 2011 and still none choosen... :bash:

In past, GoI denied clearance to Kumar group citing Chinese firm partner as security risk, then next time Zoom torpedoed Lanco using legal loopholes in our Indian judiciary and now GoI denies one qualified bidder clearance followed by GoK kicking out other qualified bidder... Now if somebody like you say that all these are incidental and good for Vizhinjam, many like me find it hard to believe..My gut feeling says more likely there may be many who are laughing their way to bank for getting this project delayed indefinitely...^^


Right move for what.. delaying this project..? Do you also say GoI was right in denying clearances to kumar/mundra etc..?



+1. If Vizhinjam needs to propel India into higher economic growth for 21st century, GoK/GoI needs to apply their brains, accord priority to projects based on merit than regional bias & act with vision; not just copy/paste existing major ports in India that were meant to cater to needs of 19th/20th century.

The present dispensation at centre is one of the worst non-performing government we ever had since independence. They have shown equal negligence to all infra projects in general and port/power projects in particular. They are interested only in real estate projects. No need to discuss logic of their actions or non-actions.

Coming to Vizhinjam. The experiment of single operator in advance for a multi cargo/terminal on landlord model was tried probably for the first time due to the adverse traffic projections and need to raise funds. Please note that even if there was an operator in palce, all the master plan and phasing works would be have been done by GoK/VISL consultants only. You would have only one extra layer of consultants of the operator of similar competence level of VISL consultant.

I hope GoK will not waste another one year waiting for Environmental clearance and start EPC tendering in right earnest.

There is no point going around in circles. To conclude:

A) We all agree that the landlord model continues to be the best one available and that GoK has to push forward at the very earliest.

B) A capable operator is a must-have.

C) The current market study and the consequent preliminary master plan are underwhelming at best.

D) Having the operator on board sooner rather than later will help improve the master plan and also improve the project's credibility. There are only so many operators and lines in the market, so sooner is definitely better than later.

E) GoK has to pick up the pace w.r.t. supporting infra development, to resolve the Cabotage issue and to get the EPC work moving.

The basic point is that GoK needs to realize that this project is THE priority, that it should not be lost in a herd of projects, most of which are best left to expire on paper. This project will only succeed if there is no compromise.

I hope GoK will not waste another one year waiting for Environmental clearance and start EPC tendering in right earnest.

This Govt looks good only in terms of wasting precious time for key projects.
Vizhinjam needs out of the box policy decisions. We can only hope that some good news emerge in few months.

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Kerala Kaumudi

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Kerala Kaumudi

This is kiddish reporting . Whats the logic in asking for Cabotage Relaxation 3-4 years before the port comes up ~~? :bash:

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From an another expert study which consists of "office bearers" :lol:

‘Vizhinjam project a threat to tourism’ (http://newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/article592144.ece)

The Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association (KHRA) passed a resolution here on Sunday, which said that the proposed Vizhinjam Container Transshipment Port Project, if implemented, would put an end of the flow of foreign tourists to the State.

The two-decade-old Kovalam - Vizhinjam-Poovar tourism belt will be completely washed away with this port project as the environmental impact of the project would be much worse than projected, association officials told the media on the sidelines of the core committee meeting held here.

“Currently, the reports and data studies prepared by the State Government and authorised consultants portray the consequences in a ‘very light way’ and acknowledge the fact that it will not provide much employment opportunity for local people. The reports prepared by these consultants promise a maximum of 500 local jobs after 30 years, while the flourishing tourism segment provides far better avenues than this projected figure.

‘’The analysis done by the association members illustrates the fact that Indian shipping industry is going through rough weather and existing ports are struggling to gain business, thus posing a question on the viability of a transshipment port in an industrially inactive Kerala,” KHRA office-bearers said.

According to official tourism statistics, the capital district alone generates over Rs 6,000-crore revenue for Kerala annually and Kovalam, Vizhinjam and Poovar regions provide direct employment for 20,000 persons. The tourism sector in Kerala has been growing at an average rate of over 12 per cent every year for the past decade. The Kovalam-Vizhinjam-Poovar belt accounts for approximately 50 to 60 per cent of Thiruvananthapuram district’s revenue and these areas are one of the most preferred destinations for foreign tourists.

Foreign tourists who visit this region are long stay guests and repeat visitors who choose this area after travelling all over the world.

“When we calculate the total loss to the State exchequer if this tourism belt is destroyed, then the loss for 30 years of business with corresponding growth of just 6 per cent for calculation amounts to Rs 2.5 lakh crore. In addition, tourists who visit Kerala are attracted to visit the Kovalam-Vizhinjam- Poovar region and they then visit other locations such as backwaters and north Kerala destinations. If the prime attraction of Kovalam beach is destroyed, then the multiplier effect loss to tourism in Kerala can be much higher than what is estimated,” observed the KHRA core committee.

This is kiddish reporting . Whats the logic in asking for Cabotage Relaxation 3-4 years before the port comes up ~~? :bash:

Well they have a point. Going by the tug of war around Cabotage thus far, it could take years for a decision to be made, if it is on a case-to-case basis. GoK should press for exemption for both projects. This will further fortify the commercial proposition at Vizhinjam.

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Source: Kerala Kaumudi

Mr. Babu said it was surprising to see the hoteliers and those in the tourism industry coming out against the ICTT at Vizhinjam when the environment studies were nearing completion and public hearing was to commence.

Source (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article3801547.ece)

If the minister thinks he is a responsible minister, he should expose the names of those hotels ;)

Vizhinjam port will be a reality, says K. Babu (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article3801557.ece)

Ports Minister K. Babu has said that the State government will not allow any move to scuttle the Vizhinjam port project to succeed.

At a function organised by the Federation of Residents’ Association, Thiruvananthapuram here on Monday, Mr. Babu said a few tourism stakeholders had met him recently with what they thought would happen to their business if the port were to come up. He asked them what they had been doing till now, when a considerable amount of work had gone into bringing this important project to fruition.

He said their response was that they had not believed so far it was going to happen. “A concerted effort was now going on to resist the project. I do not want to name who all are behind the negative propaganda,” he said. He added that the interests involved might be that of a very few individuals, or might even be international in nature. Many people might have motives to scuttle the project.

He said another question now being raised was why the government had not accepted the offer of a consortium led by Welspun Infratech for taking up the port operator’s role at Vizhinjam. Mr. Babu said this consortium was the only bidder who was given security clearance by the Union government. The problem was that the consortium was demanding a grant of Rs. 479.5 crore over 15 years to operate the port.

He said the decision not to accept the bid was taken after due deliberations, studies, consultations, negotiations and considered advice. Two factors should be taken note of. First, the role of the port operator would come only after the basic infrastructure had fallen into place. This was the responsibility of the State government. Work on this could begin only after the project had received environmental clearance. Next month would witness the public hearing that was part of the process of winning environmental clearance.

He said immediately upon winning the environmental clearance the government would float EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) tenders to start work on the basic port infrastructure. With respect to selecting the port operator, there was time. The State should get the best deal, Mr. Babu said.

Describing the logic of dropping the Welspun offer (even after the grant demand was scaled down to Rs. 399.5 crore during negotiations), Mr. Babu said the expected winning of environmental clearance, lining up of the EPC contracts and exemption for Cabotage regulations for Vizhinjam (for which the State was exerting pressure at the Centre), would draw more business interest than at present in taking up the port operator’s role there. “We are sure we will get a better deal,” he said.

...
VISL dispels concerns raised by tourism operators (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article3801556.ece)

Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL), the State government entity overseeing the planning and execution of the Vizhinjam port, said here on Monday that concerns raised by tourism operators about the impact the project could have on their business prospects were premature and based on some preliminary study reports.

In a press release, VISL Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer A.S. Suresh Babu said an all-season data collection for a comprehensive Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) of the proposed project had been completed in June this year.

This was done as per the terms of reference fixed by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF).

The data collected pertained to fisheries, tourism, social and environmental issues, shoreline morphology and ocean dynamics. These were all as required by the Union MoEF.

Data collection was done through Asian Consulting Engineers (India) Ltd and L&T Ramboll Consulting Engineers India Ltd, both having the accreditation of the MoEF as ESIA consultants.

They had done the work in association with the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute and the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services.

More than a dozen group-level public interactions and discussions were conducted with stakeholders and more than 6,000 households in the area were surveyed to collect data relating to social impact factors. The data assimilation process was done in a very transparent and participatory manner, he said.

He informed that the data analysis was now going on so as “to arrive at definitive decisions leading to the drafting of the ESIA report, which, along with the data on the topographic survey, will go as the input for the optimisation of the Integrated Port Master Plan incorporating all environmental and social concerns into engineering requirements.”

VISL allays concerns of tourism sector (http://newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/article593190.ece)

Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL) has urged the tourism sector to refrain from arriving at ‘preset’ conclusions with regards to the Vizhinjam seaport project as they could delay the project.

VISL officials, in a statement here, said that the detailed project report and the environmental impact assessment report will be published soon, in which the concerns will be addressed.

The VISL statement has come in response to a resolution passed by the Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association (KHRA) which said that the multi-crore project will spell doom for the two-decade-old tourism on the Kovalam-Vizhinjam-Poovar belt. The concerns now raised are ‘’premature relying on some preliminary study reports,’’ VISL CEO A S Suresh Babu said.

As per guidelines and terms of reference issued by the Ministry of Environment & Forests, (MoEF), a one year, all season data collection for a Comprehensive Environmental and Social impact Assessment (ESIA) for the project has been completed. This was done through Asian Consulting Engineers (India) Ltd and L&T Ramboll Consulting Engineers India Ltd, in association with the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Vizhinjam, and Indian National Centre for Ocean information Services (iNCOIS), Hyderabad.

The data collected pertains to sectors including fisheries, tourism, social, environment, shoreline morphology, ocean dynamics, marine modelling etc, as required by the MoEF, according to the VISL. Over a dozen group-level public interactions and discussions and house-to-house social surveys from more than 6,000 households/stakeholders were performed.

‘’The data analysis is being performed to arrive at definitive decisions leading to the drafting of ESIA report which, along with the data on detailed topographic survey, will go as input for optimisation of Integrated Port Master Plan incorporating all environmental & social concerns into engineering requirements,’’ Suresh Babu said.

Based on the ESIA report and Integrated Port Master Plan and other study reports like marine geophysical and geotechnical surveys, mathematical modelling studies, shore line change studies etc, a Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be prepared, VISL said.

Vizhinjam port will be a reality, says K. Babu (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article3801557.ece)

Ports Minister K. Babu has said that the State government will not allow any move to scuttle the Vizhinjam port project to succeed.

At a function organised by the Federation of Residents’ Association, Thiruvananthapuram here on Monday, Mr. Babu said a few tourism stakeholders had met him recently with what they thought would happen to their business if the port were to come up. He asked them what they had been doing till now, when a considerable amount of work had gone into bringing this important project to fruition.

He said their response was that they had not believed so far it was going to happen. “A concerted effort was now going on to resist the project. I do not want to name who all are behind the negative propaganda,” he said. He added that the interests involved might be that of a very few individuals, or might even be international in nature. Many people might have motives to scuttle the project.

He said another question now being raised was why the government had not accepted the offer of a consortium led by Welspun Infratech for taking up the port operator’s role at Vizhinjam. Mr. Babu said this consortium was the only bidder who was given security clearance by the Union government. The problem was that the consortium was demanding a grant of Rs. 479.5 crore over 15 years to operate the port.

He said the decision not to accept the bid was taken after due deliberations, studies, consultations, negotiations and considered advice. Two factors should be taken note of. First, the role of the port operator would come only after the basic infrastructure had fallen into place. This was the responsibility of the State government. Work on this could begin only after the project had received environmental clearance. Next month would witness the public hearing that was part of the process of winning environmental clearance.

He said immediately upon winning the environmental clearance the government would float EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) tenders to start work on the basic port infrastructure. With respect to selecting the port operator, there was time. The State should get the best deal, Mr. Babu said.

Describing the logic of dropping the Welspun offer (even after the grant demand was scaled down to Rs. 399.5 crore during negotiations), Mr. Babu said the expected winning of environmental clearance, lining up of the EPC contracts and exemption for Cabotage regulations for Vizhinjam (for which the State was exerting pressure at the Centre), would draw more business interest than at present in taking up the port operator’s role there. “We are sure we will get a better deal,” he said.

If that happens next time for sure I will vote for him.
Evenif I have to transfer my Voter Id card to his constituency.:)

If that happens next time for sure I will vote for him.
Evenif I have to transfer my Voter Id card to his constituency.:)

If Vizhinjam became a reality many people in his district will vote against his party. :lol:

It is difficult to understand how the tourism will be affected due to new port project. VISL should be able to dispel most of the fears during the public hearing. Even if some specific requets can not be accepted, they can demonstrate to MoEF how the project is important for overall development of the region and growth of India and get EC.

Action :bash:

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/1039/vzmmlm2208.jpg

Source: Mangalam (http://mangalam.com/index.php?page=detail&nid=597416)

Reaction :cheers:

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/8867/vzmmlm12208.jpg

Source: Mangalam (http://mangalam.com/index.php?page=detail&nid=597417)

VISL to publish eco-impact report (http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/thiruvananthapuram/visl-publish-eco-impact-report-207)

With a view to allaying concern being expressed by the tourism industry, the Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL) would publish a comprehensive environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) report soon.

VISL CEO A.S. Suresh Babu told DC that all the seasonal data collection for ESIA was completed by July. This was as per the guidelines and terms of reference issued by the ministry of environment and forests in July, 2011, he said.

“It is premature for the tourism industry to rely on preliminary study reports for arriving at conclusions. This would result in delays.

The VISL will publish the detailed project report (DPR) and ESIA soon. The concerns of the industry will be addressed in the reports, he said.

The one-year-long all-season data collection for the ESIA was done through Asian consulting engineers (India) and L&T Ramboll Consulting Engineers India, in association with the Central Marine Fish-eries Research Institute, Vizhinjam, and Indian National Centre for Ocean information Services, Hyderabad.

Study reports like the ones on marine geophysical and geotechnical surveys, mathematical modelling studies will be readied, Suresh Babu said.

മനോരോഗി ഇപ്പോഴാണ്* വിവരം അറിഞ്ഞത് :lol:

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/461/vzmmm2308.jpg

Source: Malayala Manorama

Government submits resurvey report on rail realignment (http://newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/article594218.ece)

Obstacles in land acquisition has forced the state government to look for a new alignment for a rail link for the multi-crore Vizhinjam container transshipment terminal project.

A new proposal suggests linking the port with Nemom instead of Neyyatinkara. The Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL), the consultant appointed by government company Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL) for finalising the rail connectivity has conducted a survey in this regard and submitted its report, which has been forwarded to the Railway.

VISL is now awaiting approval of the railway. “The earlier alignment was Vizhinjam port to Neyyatinkara via Balaramapuram. But there are some issues including two or three old temples, of which one is said to be centuries old. We are comfortable with the new alignment,” VISL CEO A S Suresh Babu said.

The new alignment will shorten the connectivity to the main line from 15 kms to approximately 13 kms.

At a time when the State is gearing up for Emerging Kerala 2012 Global Investors Meet, a controversy has erupted on the southern coast with a section of hoteliers and scientists questioning the financial and environmental feasibility of Rs 6,596 crore International Transshipment Terminal at Vizhinjam.

A section of hotel industry raised apprehensions about its adverse impact on tourism sector triggering a debate on the project’s environmental and financial feasibility.

Leading the campaign are people engaged in hospitality business on the Kovalam- Vizhinjam - Poovar belt. They have backed their arguments with a series of studies conducted by scientists.

So why did the hotel industry rake up the issue especially after so much of work has gone into the project? Well this is one question that even Port Minister K. Babu posed to a delegation of hoteliers recently.

Their answer was fairly simple. “Till now we never believed that the project would see the light of the day.’’


This makes it extremely clear that this is a sare tactic with paid "scientists" and "environmentalists" with extremely vested interests.

Many scientists say there’s a need for a thorough and cautious Environment Impact Assessment study in Vizhinjam area by experts from institutions of repute.

Who are these "scientists"? Aren't they informed enough to understand that a detailed EIA was in progress and has now been completed?

Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL) however says the concerns raised by hoteliers’ are premature. They promise that all fears would be allayed once the detailed project report and EIS comes out.

Several institutions, including Asian Consulting Engineers (India) Ltd and I and T Ramboll Consulting Engineers India Ltd, had carried out the study along with Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad.

Protect fish wealth, says marine scientist

Retired principal scientist of Central Marine Fisheries and Research Institute, Dr K.K. Appukuttan, has called for detailed studies on Vizinjam project’s impact on the environment, biodiversity and fish wealth in the area.

Who's paying Dr Appukuttan for his services?

According to him large-scale construction associated with the project will cause huge damage to intertidal ecosystem. The piling work, reclamation of coastal area for berthing space and dredging for ship channel will lead to heavy silting and sediment transport in and around Vizhinjam, including the bank areas resulting in massive biodiversity loss.

Why isn't Dr Appukkuttan's heart bleeding for other major dredging, reclamation and marine construction projects in Kerala? Some with much larger material volumes than Vizhinjam and located in or near ecologically fragile mangrove forests?

Dr Appukuttan points out that Vizhinjam - Poovar area is the most significant fishing ground on the southern coast of Thiruvananthapuram.
Besides, the coastal zone also has important fish landing centres like Vizhinjam and Admilathura.

The proposed project will displace large numbers of fishermen; prevent access to fishing grounds and landing centres causing irreversible damage to these areas. Moreover Vizhinjam coast is a rich fishing ground for commercially important fish— perch, squid, cuttle fish, mackerels, tuna, anchovies and lobsters.

Coastal erosion studies made by national research institutions have clearly indicated that this area is ecologically fragile and subject to constant erosion especially during monsoon.


This is a clear attempt to stoke up tensions with the fisher folk and to use them as weapons against the project. When the truth is that the project occupies a very small stretch along the coast and will not affect landing centers such as the fishing harbor next door. If at all, the construction of the main breakwater creates an opportunity to expand the basin of the fishing harbor.

Hoteliers’ concerns premature: VISL

Already one-year all-season data collection for comprehensive environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) has been completed on the basis of guidelines and terms of reference issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF).

More than a dozen group-level public interactions and discussions were conducted with stakeholders and more than 6,000 households in the area surveyed to collect data relating to social impact factors. The data assimilation process was done in a very transparent and participatory manner. The data analysis was on.

As per Fugro Geophysical Survey: There will not be any rock blasting in the area where dredging activities need to be carried out. Experts say the sand bed features in the area clearly reveal that rock blasting is not required during dredging.

Only 120 hectares of land has to be acquired for the port project including road connectivity, truck terminal, back up area and rail connectivity.


Unfortunately the hotliers and their cronies seem least interested in facts.

Concerns raised

Project will dispel foreign tourists who like to stay at hotels and resorts dotting the Kovalam-Vizhinjam Poovar stretch. Irreparable damage to the environment will kill tourism potential permanently.

Frequent arrival of big ships will disturb the peace and tranquility in the area which boasts of nearly 40 beach resorts, including ayurveda rejuvenation centres, small and medium hotels.

Lol, what, the ships will sound their big horns and disturb the tourists? Someone should send these "experts" to Sentosa Island that attracts more international tourists than the whole of Kerala, right in the middle of the busiest harbor in the world with hundreds of big ships moving around each day.

Fate of 5,000 odd people who depend on the hotel industry for their livelihood, hangs in balance.

Yes, their livelihoods would be a little bit more secure with all those high-paying cruise tourists around.

Hoteliers quote World Bank report to suggest project is unviable.Of the Rs 27,500 crore expected to be generated by the port in 30 years, the government will get only Rs 2,500. Compare it with the total investment of Rs 6000 crore.


Source (http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/thiruvananthapuram/vizhinjam-whose-loss-whose-gain-999)

I am happy that at least the hoteliers are paying attention to the IFC (not World Bank) project report, something that GoK and VISL obviously failed to do.

On that note, the direct recovery through taxes and fees would be only a fraction of the revenue to the State and Central Governments through indirect taxes and so on. At least they admit that the port will generate a few bucks, even though the report itself grossly underestimates the project's benefits! :lol:

Let GoK name the hoteliers involved in this propaganda exercise to derail the most important infrastructure project in the State's history. That might be tricky given the links some of them have to key figures amongst the high-and-mighty.

[QUOTE=Ajaypp;94478468]This makes it extremely clear that this is a sare tactic with paid "scientists" and "environmentalists" with extremely vested interests.



True, it is easy to find so called 'scientists' and 'environ-MENTALISTS' in India, especially in God's Own Country, and they can be easily hired by various mafia.
I don't get why these resort/hotel guys are worried, after all a port will be bringing in hundreds of Sailers (Mr. Popeyes) for their massage businesses.
And the fishermen folks will see tremendous opportunities for export of their catch and thus help bring more wealth to them.

There is no local aam-admi opposition thats usually seen with a project of this scale. And I guess the various lobbies have been unsuccesful in stirring it up.
Atleast the lobbying is in the open now.

^^ :ohno:



It would have benefited the local tourism industry substantially if they had shown the same amount of application of mind, same amount of passion and the same intensity of hard work for promoting Kovalam – Poovar belt as a brand.

^^ :ohno:
It would have benefited the local tourism industry substantially if they had shown the same amount of application of mind, same amount of passion and the same intensity of hard work for promoting Kovalam – Poovar belt as a brand.

+1

Do they spend a single paisa creating and promoting a destination brand for Kovalam/Trivandrum? Do they lobby for improving air connectivity? Do they invest in improving infrastructure?

Absolutely NO, not when they can spend money and time on opposing the one project which could lift them out a mediocre future.

Elementary!

Vizhinjam port will be a reality, says K. Babu (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article3801557.ece)

Ports Minister K. Babu has said that the State government will not allow any move to scuttle the Vizhinjam port project to succeed.

He said immediately upon winning the environmental clearance the government would float EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) tenders to start work on the basic port infrastructure. With respect to selecting the port operator, there was time. The State should get the best deal, Mr. Babu said.

There appears to be a genuine support to the project from locals including fishermen. This is very rare in Indian scenario. In that case, tourism lobby's pressure if any will not matter.

The date for Environmental Public Hearing (EPH) may be announced any time now. All the supporters including fishermen shall attend the EPH. Any attempt by any lobby to scuttle the project shall be strongly opposed during the meeting. DC will be recording the meeting Live and report to MoEF. All the best!

Resort owners itching again.

The Kerala hotel and restaurant association (KHRA) has written to the ministry of environment and forest (MoEF) seeking a relook at the methodology used by Asian Consulting Engineers Pvt Ltd (ACE) while collating data for their environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) study of the proposed international container transshipment terminal at Vizhinjam.

While ACE is yet to finalize its ESIA report, those in the tourism trade have questioned the accuracy of the data collated by L&T Rambol, which the KHRA claims to have served as the basis of the ESIA study.

The KHRA in a letter written by Thiruvananthapuram unit president G Sudhiesh Kumar addressing the expert appraisal committee on CRZ (MoEF) chairman Naraesh Dayal and MoEF director Lalit Kapur said, "The report says only three resorts will be affected in the project location, while there are 31. L&T Rambol, who is the main EIA consultant for Vizhinjam international seaport limited (VISL), has not even once consulted a single member of the tourism sector."

A few members of the KHRA who had assisted the ACE team in their interview process have complained that no one in the ACE team could speak the local language, which might have compromised the quality of the interview process. Meanwhile ACE chairman Suparna Mallick said, "We cannot address each and everyone's problem. My team was there for three months. Why did they not speak up then? This is a draft report. Once the report is presented to the public, the stakeholders will be given a chance to debate our findings," she said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/KHRA-seeks-relook-into-Vizhinjam-study/articleshow/16294119.cms

Resort owners itching again.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/KHRA-seeks-relook-into-Vizhinjam-study/articleshow/16294119.cms

I am surprised that these folks are getting so audacious. Sadly, if only they had spent as much time promoting the region as a tourism destination, they'd be in much better shape now.

L&T Ramboll seems to be the technical consultant for the EIA and they don't exactly have to talk to resort owners when they do hydrodynamic modeling and sediment transport studies do they? The tourism sector isn't exactly famous for their geo-technical and marine engineering skills.

ACE seems to be the consultant for the socio-economic component of the EIA, and they seem to have interviewed these folks. I'd be surprised that resort owners who have to deal with non-local language speaking tourists couldn't make their case to the study team unless the latter only spoke a dialect of Swahili, which seems highly unlikely!

The determination they exhibit is enthralling. Wonder why such determination always surface only to destroy and not to construct.

Cabotage Relaxation for ICTT Cochin is good news for Vizhinjam also. If ICTT traffic increase substantially in next one year on account of cabotage relaxation, Vizhinjam bid for port operators will get better offers from competent operators.

Cabotage Relaxation for ICTT Cochin is good news for Vizhinjam also. If ICTT traffic increase substantially in next one year on account of cabotage relaxation, Vizhinjam bid for port operators will get better offers from competent operators.

Cabotage relaxation for Vizhinjam is a must since it stands a very realistic chance of competing with Colombo and Salalah, given its location and draft.

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/4392/20120906123957.jpg

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/5113/20120906124647.jpg

Shot Using Samsung Galaxy SII (http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/6376/68686290.jpg) on 06.09.2012

Vizhinjam project for investor meet (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article3891229.ece)
The State is all set to present Vizhinjam International Container Transhipment Terminal at the Emerging Kerala meet as part of its attempt to indentify a promoter for the project, which has been in the making for quite some time now, but has not got off the ground for a variety of reasons.

The structure of the project has undergone a drastic change from its original shape, with the State government now seeking promoters for the development of the superstructure and operations of the port during the concession period. It is also looking for an Engineering Procurement Contractor who would be required to build the civil infrastructure.

Various port projects are expected to come up for discussion at the sectoral sessions that have been planned as part of investors’ meet. The Ports Department would also get an opportunity to push for Vizhinjam and a slew of other port development projects at the round-table meetings and B2B and B2G sessions.

The State has already spent Rs.405 crore for development of basic infrastructure, including power, road and rail connectivity for the project. The Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited, fully owned by the government of Kerala, will take up the dredging, reclamation and other infrastructure works such as construction of breakwater quay.
ഇപ്പ ശരിയാക്കിത്തരാം ;)

Petroleum traders association for master depot near Vizhinjam port (http://newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/article605964.ece)

The State Petroleum Traders Association has flayed the reported move to wind up the IOC, HPCL and BPCL depots here. They said that there was big scope for transporting petroleum products by making use of the rail network in the state.

The Association also demanded to set up a master depot near the Vizhinjam port.

Association state president Alex Vallakalil and vice-president Syed Khan told a news conference here on Tuesday that the move to close down the southern region comes at a time when Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and other policy makers were talking about ways to minimise movement of petroleum products by the congested roads and favoured it through rail and water, and thereby prevent accidents,against the backdrop of the Chala LPG tanker blaze.

“The proposal to link main cities in the state through the gas pipeline should also be pursued seriously,” they demanded.

“After retaining and developing the existing depots of various government-owned oil companies in the southern region, new depots should be opened in Kollam, Kayamkulam, Thrissur and Kozhikode so that movement of petroleum products by rail could be realised effectively,” they urged.

“For the depots catering to the capital city alone, 200 tankers are plying with petroleum products everyday,” they pointed out.

“Movement of petro products by rail to the Kannur region has already been stopped and there is clear information that the same policy is going to be in place for other regions also,” they said.

“The Association had submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in this regard,” the office-bearers said. Association T’Puram district president P Pradeep and secretary Naveen George were also present.

Attention to all !

Jeevan Tv owned by Mr.Baby Mathew somatheeram is giving hate campaign against our dream project. I have seen the news almost everyday evening by giving comments from local fishermen and people against the project.It is evident that they have bribed them for these hate comments.We should respond and protest to this. The reporters are seemed to scuttle this project at any cost. Nowadays the media is working to the vested interests accordingly.Pity!

:lol: How many are watching Jeevan TV? Let them do their fishermen "concerned duty".

Jeevan TV surely has some vested interests i think .They are mentioning so called 'Experts' said in every report saying that tourism is doomed in kovalam.Daily dosage in every bulletin...Resort owners and other vested interests are promoting these.

Kerala''s long pending dream project of Vizhinjam International Container Transshipment Terminal were among the 15 port development projects under PPP model were presented before the prospective investors here Friday.

Speaking at the Emerging Kerala global meet, state''s Port Minister K Babu said Vizhinjam port is the prime project of the state to be implemented in "landlord" model with a total initial investment of Rs 4010 crore.

Though the project was conceived long ago, it could not be implemented due to various reasons.

The building of Terminal super structure and its operation for 30 years is proposed to be done by private operation on PPP model, he said.

Adopting a three pronged strategy of having infrastructure, incentives and institution building, Kerala government plans to decongest the state roads by diverting at least 20 per cent of its cargo traffic through coastal shipping by 2015 and 40 per cent by 2020, Babu said.

"To reduce the risk in cargo transport, to decongest the roads and to prevent environmental degradation, government proposes to divert at least 20 per cent of the cargo through coastal shipping by 2015 and 40 percent by 2020," he said.

He said the coastal traffic potential through non-major ports of the state is estimated to be 4.64 million ton during 2012-14 and 7 million ton by 2019-20 and the target will be achieved by three pronged strategy of modern infrastructure, incentives and institution building.

According to him Kollam, Alappuzha, Kodungallore, Ponnani, Beypore and Azheekkal ports are also earmarked for development.

On the incentives for shifting cargo movement to the waterways, Babu said financial assistance in the form of soft loans of interest two per cent for seven years up to 40 per cent of the total construction cost of the vessel and 10 per cent interest for amounts up to 80 per cent is under consideration.


http://english.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/contentView.do?contentId=12422556&tabId=1&programId=11565535

With Vizhinjam we are going to be the COMPLETE CITY/METRO as we are the IT Hub,Knowledge Hub,Tourist Hub,R&D Hub,Science and Educational Hub.Just waiting for Vizhinjam and we are Complete !!!!!!

Vizhinjam lighthouse area to get a facelift
(http://newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/article607211.ece)

The much-neglected Vizhinjam lighthouse and surroundings are all set to become a sought-after tourist destination point, with the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships under the Union Ministry of Shipping selecting it as one of the sites in the country to get a facelift.

Vizhinjam lighthouse, apart from Kadalur Point Lighthouse in the state, has found a place in the list of centres where a scheme to restore and maintain old lighthouses will be implemented shortly.

Union Minister for Shipping G K Vasan made the announcement while inaugurating a sectoral session on Ports, Ship Building and Logistics, held on the concluding day of Emerging Kerala-2012 here on Friday. He pointed out that old lighthouses which have a heritage value are major tourist attractions in many parts of the world. In India also, such lighthouses have been identified.

“Kadalur Point lighthouse and Vizhinjam lighthouse in Kerala have been selected for development as tourist centres,” Vasan said.With the announcement that the Vizhinjam lighthouse will be developed as a tourist destination, the area is poised to have the fortune of being led to its past glory and future prospects, at a time when the ambitious Vizhinjam port project is also waiting on its wings for a real beginning. The Central scheme would bring in necessary funds and expertise for creating a new aura around the lighthouse and precincts, which have stood the test of time.