MEGAPROJECT: Vizhinjam Container Transshipment Terminal | Under Development

[scorpiogenius]

So we are back to square one???!!! On what basis and sense does these courts function? Is there an option for the Govt to approach Supreme Court?

If the construction works doesnt start before the tenure of this Govt, then then its going to be another long delay.

[beam]

Yes, the main concern is delays in the project. Already it is delayed for so many years due to all reasons a sane person can think of. Now our honourable court has stepped in which indirectly means more delays. It is sad that we dont still have a high court bench at Tvm which could have speeded up such cases.

Iam sure the government can definitely approach the supreme court as the minister has said that zoom developers was exlcuded from the primary list when it was found they changed partners after submitting bid and based on legal opinion. It is upto the Kerala government whether they decide to go for higher appeal or include zoom again in the bid as the high court wants.

[beam]

THE HINDU
state to move apex court

Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State government would approach the Supreme Court against the Kerala High Court verdict suspending all work connected with the Vizhinjam Container Trans-shipment Project, Law and Ports Minister M. Vijayakumar said here on Thursday.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/12/05/stor...0553830400.htm

[Tri Man]

Originally Posted by beam

Disappointing news from the court..

Last time, the same Zoom developers won the contract but Centre didnot give clearance due to chinese partners.

Now Lanco with its partners have clearance from centre but court intervening in the matter.

The last thing we want is politicising the project and delaying it further.

Still not sure whether the state government is going to consider Zoom's bid or appeal at supreme court. We will have to wait and watch.

In case Zoom is ready to withdraw the petition,they can be considered for some other projects like Vizinjam Shipyard,Technoparks,Refinery,....or some similar attractive project.
Instead of Loose-Loose war,both these parties can become in win-win situation.

......Government should explore if any possibility is available.

[Rajesh SM]

http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bi...6278&BV_ID=@@@

[beam]

Lanco Infra weighs options in Vizhinjam port case

Our Bureau

Hyderabad, Dec. 8 The Lanco Consortium is evaluating options against a Kerala High Court order challenging the award of development of Vizhinjam International Deepwater Seaport.

The options could include filing of review petition, Lanco Infra informed BSE.

More at
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/...0951231900.htm

[beam]

Originally Posted by Tri Man

In case Zoom is ready to withdraw the petition,they can be considered for some other projects like Vizinjam Shipyard,Technoparks,Refinery,....or some similar attractive project.
Instead of Loose-Loose war,both these parties can become in win-win situation.

......Government should explore if any possibility is available.

I guess you meant the poovar shipyard project??. Ya, may be the Govt. should begin talk with Zoom on these possibilities of big projects in parallel since they seem hell bent on not backing off their interest from getting the massive Vizhinjam port project, even after LoI issued by Govt. to Lanco.

The court case by Zoom may be driven by the huge potential Vizhinjam offers as a transhipment port and highlights the immense potential Vizhinjam container port has in the future for international shipping trade.

High court judgement against awarding tenders should have come much earlier considering the importance of this mega project. Thank God, the judgement didnot come after the project is halfway through. It is disappointing that HC has come out with its judgement after so much delay similar to any government department functioning. This only makes the common man feel as if HC being in Kochi doesnot really bother about the development aspirations of people in this region having on Vizhinjam port.

The govt. has to ensure that the court cases donot get dragged by either party and in the process the whole project delayed. Vizhinjam port project has unfortunately been dragged and delayed many times before which people hate to even think of. The competitor's of Vizhinjam project will be only too happy to hear more delays on Vizhinjam.

[SajithVijayan]

High court rejected the review petition submitted by GoK.

[beam]

Vizhinjam: Govt. to move SC says, Minister

Thiruvananthapuram, Thursday, December 11, 2008: Kerala Ports Minister M Vijayakumar said the Government will move appeal before Supreme Court against the High Court decision to stall the development of the proposed Rs.53.48 billion port at Vizhinjam

This is the second time that an attempt to build the Vizhinjam port is being undertaken. During the previous Oommen Chandy government (2004-06), after selecting a consortium of two Chinese and a Mumbai firm through a global tender, the central government had at the last moment decided not to give its sanction citing security reasons.

At that time, the contract was won by a consortium led by Zoom Developers.

More at
http://keralaonline.com/news/vizhinj...ter_12322.html

[sanjay4]

Originally Posted by scorpiogenius

So we are back to square one???!!! On what basis and sense does these courts function? Is there an option for the Govt to approach Supreme Court?

If the construction works doesnt start before the tenure of this Govt, then then its going to be another long delay.

I had the same question. Zoom Developers were disqualified on the basis of National Security. Vizhinjam Port is strategic port as such we cannot compromise on it. Government should use all its powers to dismiss the lawsuit. If I understand correctly their consortium consisted of Chinese companies which lead to the disqualification. Foregin investment is good , but not at the expense of national security.
Dubai port was not allowed to bid for the American ports for the same reason.

[rosh_139]

I think rather than going to Supreme court, the Kerala Govt should go ahead as per Kerala High Court order to consider the Technical and Financial bid submitted by Zoom Developers. If Zoom's bid is better, go ahead with them, if not continue with Lanco.

[shafi]

Originally Posted by rosh_139

I think rather than going to Supreme court, the Kerala Govt should go ahead as per Kerala High Court order to consider the Technical and Financial bid submitted by Zoom Developers. If Zoom's bid is better, go ahead with them, if not continue with Lanco.

Zoom Developers dont have that much financial capability and project implementing capacity. As per govt records projects worth 20 Lacs are still crawling for months at cochin (Kinfra Park, Kalamassery) which are run by Zoom Developers. Also they have many black marks in bidding processes which usually delay the project. I think this particular group is only there for causing hindrance to a national level mega project. I think they are aided for this purpose only by vested intrests from TN, Gujarat and other part of kerala(Very sad to say that)

These politicians are real waste. Same poiliticians in diff parties are attending functions at trivandrum for supporting High Court Bench as well as in Cochin for Opposing it. I dont know when our pupil will realize these jockers who always had 2 .F........s

[beam]

Just see comments/atitudes from some of our politicians about Vallarpadom port near Kochi and vizhinjam port near Tvm.


================================
Execute Vallarpadom project

Government should remove the hurdles: Chandy

KOCHI: Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy has urged the government to clear the hurdles in the execution of the Vallarpadom container terminal project. Completion of the project on schedule was of importance to the country, he said.

UDF Convenor P.P. Thankachan, K.V. Thomas, K. Babu and V.D. Satheesan, MLAs, K.P. Dhanapalan, K. Muhammad Ali, Dominic Presentation, M.A. Kuttappan and K.B. Muhammad Kutty, Congress leaders, spoke.

More at
http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/19/stor...1958120300.htm
=================================

Court stays Vizhinjam port work
Publish Date: Friday,5 December, 2008, at 01:28 AM Doha Time

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court yesterday asked the state government not to proceed with the development of the proposed Rs53.48bn port at Vizhinjam near the famed tourist destination of Kovalam.


Legislator P C George, who had alleged that the tender proceedings were not transparent, told reporters after the verdict that he was glad the court has realised that the procedure of awarding tender for the development of the port was not fair.

“The project is being developed under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) scheme and will be handed over to the state government after 30 years. The company that has got the project had offered to pay the government Rs330mn, while the Mumbai-based firm had offered Rs3bn,” George said.

More at
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topic...=2&item_no=258
735&version=1&template_id=40&parent_id=22
====================================



So, for Vallarpadom the project has to be executed at any cost to the Government as it is "important" to some people/politicians. Whereas Vizhinjam port execution is not so "important" and the payment to Kerala Govt. is more "important" even if it means endless delays.

[Tri Man]

Originally Posted by beam

Just see comments/atitudes from some of our politicians about Vallarpadom port near Kochi and vizhinjam port near Tvm.


================================
Execute Vallarpadom project

Government should remove the hurdles: Chandy

KOCHI: Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy has urged the government to clear the hurdles in the execution of the Vallarpadom container terminal project. [B]Completion of the .................More at
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topic...=2&item_no=258
735&version=1&template_id=40&parent_id=22
====================================



So, for Vallarpadom the project has to be executed at any cost to the Government as it is "important" to some people/politicians. Whereas Vizhinjam port execution is not so "important" and the payment to Kerala Govt. is more "important" even if it means endless delays.

Next time when you go for vote,consider these factors before voting....

[beam]

Originally Posted by rosh_139

I think rather than going to Supreme court, the Kerala Govt should go ahead as per Kerala High Court order to consider the Technical and Financial bid submitted by Zoom Developers. If Zoom's bid is better, go ahead with them, if not continue with Lanco.

What about the qualified other bidders who lost to Lanco? If an unqualified bidder Zoom is considered again for the bid, dont you think all the other qualified bidders will go to court? Then it will be multiple cases guaranteed to go on for years .Of course, the only beneficiary in such a case will be our esteemed High court lawyers as they will have a gold mine for themselves for next decades to come, thanks to Vizhinjam.

[beam]

Originally Posted by shafi

Zoom Developers dont have that much financial capability and project implementing capacity. As per govt records projects worth 20 Lacs are still crawling for months at cochin (Kinfra Park, Kalamassery) which are run by Zoom Developers. Also they have many black marks in bidding processes which usually delay the project. I think this particular group is only there for causing hindrance to a national level mega project. I think they are aided for this purpose only by vested intrests from TN, Gujarat and other part of kerala(Very sad to say that)

Yes, Shafi many people including me suspect the same like you do, considering the huge potential of Vizhinjam port and the competitors around. I only hope it is not true. For now, let us assume Zoom is seriously interested in the Vizhinjam project. Zoom can be called for meetings by Govt. to discuss on other viable projects in parallel like Poovar Shipyard, Beypore port etc.

[AAJACOB]

Yes,

There are international/national as well as local lobbies against vizhinjam project, true. But it’s not something that’s to be picturised in a way like some conspiracy against Trivandrum. Just imagine after vizhinjam becomes a reality suppose if another mega project gonna take off @ Colachel , Then there will definitely be a deliberate attempt on the part of the promoters of vizhinjam to create some hurdles .czz it’s simply business .Even before the concept of a transshipment terminal evolved for Vizhinjam(during the tenure of MVR) the project of Vallarpadam was conceptualized . This project being a partially central government sponsored one was dragged for over 7 long years .There were attempts on the part of major international terminal operators to abstain from the bidding process .

Even they have their justifications czz of the return on Investment (ROI) aspect of their existing investments. But the political will stood above all these . Hope you people know , P & O Ports Ltd which operates the majority of the container ports in the world , they first broke off the deal with other port operators and submitted their bid , which got rejected on grounds of a monopoly being created since they already operate most of the other rival container ports like Colombo . This dragged the project for long , but the political will of the Central as well as state government helped the project take off partnering DP World -- Maersk, Dubai Ports International (DPI), Port of Singapore Authority and a Punj Lloyd-IL&FS consortium being other bidders .I just have one question in mind ……Why didn’t the government try to rope in even one of the mega container operators in the world in the tender process for Vizhinjam ?May be there was a deliberate attempt on the part port operators to abstain altogether. Still we should have the patience to pacify them with our offer rather than just rushing in the matter.

If we want Vizhinjam to be a mother port that rivals others ports, then it should definitely be operated by a mega ports operator who has the capacity to channelize the traffic . Even I was overjoyed when I heard that Lanco consortium got selected .But second thoughts into the issue made me think this way. Do not mistake me for supporting Zoom & Portia group / Lanco Consortium/ Vallarpadam. I believe that a much more bigger player than these can only take the project to it’s glory.

[jaleelmalik]

Originally Posted by AAJACOB

Yes,

There are international/national as well as local lobbies against vizhinjam project, true. But it’s not something that’s to be picturised in a way like some conspiracy against Trivandrum. Just imagine after vizhinjam becomes a reality suppose if another mega project gonna take off @ Colachel , Then there will definitely be a deliberate attempt on the part of the promoters of vizhinjam to create some hurdles .czz it’s simply business .Even before the concept of a transshipment terminal evolved for Vizhinjam(during the tenure of MVR) the project of Vallarpadam was conceptualized . This project being a partially central government sponsored one was dragged for over 7 long years .There were attempts on the part of major international terminal operators to abstain from the bidding process .

Even they have their justifications czz of the return on Investment (ROI) aspect of their existing investments. But the political will stood above all these . Hope you people know , P & O Ports Ltd which operates the majority of the container ports in the world , they first broke off the deal with other port operators and submitted their bid , which got rejected on grounds of a monopoly being created since they already operate most of the other rival container ports like Colombo . This dragged the project for long , but the political will of the Central as well as state government helped the project take off partnering DP World -- Maersk, Dubai Ports International (DPI), Port of Singapore Authority and a Punj Lloyd-IL&FS consortium being other bidders .I just have one question in mind ……Why didn’t the government try to rope in even one of the mega container operators in the world in the tender process for Vizhinjam ?May be there was a deliberate attempt on the part port operators to abstain altogether. Still we should have the patience to pacify them with our offer rather than just rushing in the matter.

If we want Vizhinjam to be a mother port that rivals others ports, then it should definitely be operated by a mega ports operator who has the capacity to channelize the traffic . Even I was overjoyed when I heard that Lanco consortium got selected .But second thoughts into the issue made me think this way. Do not mistake me for supporting Zoom & Portia group / Lanco Consortium/ Vallarpadam. I believe that a much more bigger player than these can only take the project to it’s glory.

Vizhinjam & Colachal shall be acting as brother - sister ports and the development of these ports shall complement each other only. So no one from Trivandrum side will never, ever try to torpido Colachel. Moreover, Trivandrum will be the city that is gonna get the maximum advantage from the development of the Colachel Port.

It is also worthwhile to mention that Trivandrumites have never opposed the "birth of other airports" in the state of Kerala; while Calicut AP Development & Kannur AP Project are facing hurdles from some other forces.

[Ajaypp]

- Let's clear up a few facts here. First, Pembinan - Lanco's partner - is the operator of West Port, the second biggest container port in S.E Asia, it handles around 5 million TEUs a year already. (Source) This means it is a capable operator which is already working with the leading container lines.

Second, there were only two bidders for Vallarpadam, DP World and the IL&FS consortium. Earlier bids in 1992 and 1999 had failed to turn up any bidders. (Source) So the bid process was by no means a cake walk and no port operators other than DP participated in the 2004 round.

And finally, Vizhinjam is being developed with zero Central aid. That is a singular achievement for a mega-project in India and is a sign of the confidence investors have in it. Vallarpadam, for example, is already receiving Rs 1,184 Crores of Central aid to make it viable. (Source)

This is not to tick anyone off but to set the facts right. So, let's keep the discussion objective and not go off on tangents. Thanks.

[beam]

If there are doubting thomas'es around and donot still believe credentials of Vizhinjam, please look at a simple article published in Economic Times sometime back below:


------------------

For a transshipment hub in India
16 Oct 2007, 0052 hrs IST, Maurya Velpula,


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.

So, it is clear that this project requires considerable push from the government, failing which India will lose out on a golden opportunity that is knocking at the door.

(Co-authored by Abhishek Gupta, Mayank Kumar, Pallavi Sharma and Ritika Tondwal. The authors are IIM Bangalore students)




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More at
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/...,prtpage-1.cms