MEGAPROJECT: Vizhinjam Container Transshipment Terminal | Under Development

[abhilashtvpm]

Vizhinjam rail link: land to be acquired



Mathrubhumi

The government has initiated measures to acquire 48 hectares of land for laying a rail link from Vizhinjam to Neyyattinkara as supporting infrastructure for the international container transhipment terminal to be built at Vizhinjam.Minister for Ports K. Babu convened an all-party meeting here on Tuesday to discuss the steps being taken by the government to get the rail link ready within two-and-a-half years.The meeting decided to call the panchayat and municipal councillors, who represent the wards along which the proposed rail link would pass through, for a discussion on December 26.Rail Vikas Nigam Limited, a Union public sector undertaking, would be building the rail link.

Rehabilitation package

An official press release said the details of the rehabilitation package announced by the government for the people likely to be affected by land acquisition would be made available to the local bodies concerned and also the political leaders in the area.The alignment of the railway link had been drawn in such a way as to avoid places of worship as far as possible.
In certain unavoidable cases, the government would find solutions acceptable to the believers through discussions.

Fishworkers' concern

The press release said concern had been raised at the meeting whether the project would in affect the fishing population of Vizhinjam. The government would study this in detail and try to find a solution.The area required for the rail link includes 19.86 hectares of marshy land, 19.24 hectares dry land and 3.90 hectares of government land. It would entail the acquisition of 114 buildings along the route.

[Kannan46]

Hope that the proposed railway track is planned as a two way so that movement of goods or passengers can be done in a smooth way.

Cheers!!!

[Vivektvm]

So....

BOTTOM LINE: When is this thing gonna have enormous container ships and opulent Cruise liners sailing into it on a regular basis ?

[vinodnnhere]

Originally Posted by Vivektvm

So....

BOTTOM LINE: When is this thing gonna have enormous container ships and opulent Cruise liners sailing into it on a regular basis ?

+1
Vizhinjam container terminal is having a huge potential which is admitted by everyone. What I am wondering is that why the Central government is showing so much reluctance in elevating the port as a Major port???
The VISL CEO Mr. Manoj Joshi told that in order to declare a port as a major one, central govt. should have 51% share in the port. But now the port is developed by state government as a landlord model. Private partnership is there. I presume that the Central govt is really worried about the popularity that it will be gaining in the future. But no one can stop the progress...
We shall hope that the project will be a great boon for the future development of Trivandrum.

[abhilashtvpm]

Security clearance issue delays Mundra port expansion plans

Sources say the latest project that could get hit is MPSEZ's attempt to develop the Kerala Government's Vizhinjam port. On paper, the company is still awaiting a security nod from the Home Ministry.

Two other agencies – the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of External Affairs - have accorded the security clearance to MPSEZ for all its bids. The security clearance is obtained from three bodies — the Ministries of Defence, External Affairs and Home.

Till now, MPSEZ was getting hit only in its major port expansion plans, as the non-major ports – which are under the State Governments - do not seek any security clearance for their port development plans.

But, with the Kerala Government seeking a nod, the Vizhinjam project could end up being in a “single bidder situation” because it has two financial bidders.

Apart from MPSEZ, the other bidder is a consortium of Welspun Infratech and Leighton Welspun contractors.

Source

[3dsmax]

you r right vinod, no one can stop the development, if the demand and capability r high...

[Ajaypp]

Originally Posted by vinodnnhere

+1
Vizhinjam container terminal is having a huge potential which is admitted by everyone. What I am wondering is that why the Central government is showing so much reluctance in elevating the port as a Major port???

The "Major Port" tag has nothing to do with the capacity or importance of the port, but whether it is a public sector entity under the Central Government. Indeed, some of India's busiest and fastest growing ports like Mundra, Gangavaram and Pipavav are private entities that are classified "minor". Moreover, major ports come under the purview of the tariffs set up by the Tariff Authority for Major Ports (TAMP), which are usually uncompetitive when compared to regional rivals such as Colombo or Dubai.

Thus, there is no need to be a major port and plenty of reasons not to be!

[RajeshVR]

Vizhinjam project: EIA to be over by June 2012

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The three-season Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the multi-crore Vizhinjam seaport project is expected to be completed by June next.

Public hearings will be conducted one month after the EIA findings are made public, Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL) officials said. ‘’The process is going on. At present, representatives of L&T Ramboll and Asian Consulting Engineers, who are conducting the EIA, are at Vizhinjam for inspections,’’ said VISL CEO Suresh Babu. By January, the design team of Aecom, the consultants for master plan, EPC document and design, will arrive in Thiruvananthapuram for consultations.
On Tuesday, a detailed presentation was held here for finalising the proposed alignment for rail connectivity to the port. Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) has submitted a detailed project report on the alignment. In all, 48 hectares will be acquired for laying the tracks. This component is estimated to cost Rs 350 crore, excluding land value, VISL officials said. The project aims at connecting the port to Balaramapuram.

An all-party meeting convened by Ports Minister K Babu here on Tuesday was attended by elected representatives from the project area, district-level leaders of major political parties, representatives, VISL officials and project consultants. The State Government has also sought financial help from the Centre for the rail connectivity component.

Clearance from Home Ministry awaited:
The State Government is waiting for the Home Ministry to clear the two bidders to finalise the port operator for the Vizhinjam project
http://expressbuzz.com/cities/thiruv...12/345764.html

[Ajaypp]

- The EIA study will be completed in June or July but then the process of receiving clearance from the MoEF committee begins. I suppose our media pals can't see the difference between the forest and the trees, but I would guess that the clearance process would take another two to six months at least depending on how clear cut the findings of the EIA are and how much pressure the State Government is able to bring in support of speedy clearance.

This means that neither debt nor equity funding can be raised till the EC is received. Nor can any major construction work start on the port itself. The best that we can hope for till then is to complete the port's detailed design, award all major tenders and complete preparations for financial closure. Additionally, work on the rail and road connectivity as well as for utility supply can begin.

[kghari]

Originally Posted by Ajaypp

- The EIA study will be completed in June or July but then the process of receiving clearance from the MoEF committee begins. I suppose our media pals can't see the difference between the forest and the trees, but I would guess that the clearance process would take another two to six months at least depending on how clear cut the findings of the EIA are and how much pressure the State Government is able to bring in support of speedy clearance.

This means that neither debt nor equity funding can be raised till the EC is received. Nor can any major construction work start on the port itself. The best that we can hope for till then is to complete the port's detailed design, award all major tenders and complete preparations for financial closure. Additionally, work on the rail and road connectivity as well as for utility supply can begin.

it remains to be seen how much sincere state govt is in obtaining required clearances from ministries....if they show the same sincerity shown for kochi metro, it would happen

[25Dude25]

[IMG]http://i42.************/nwkpbp.jpg[/IMG]

Courtesy: Kerala Kaumudi

[Ajaypp]

Originally Posted by 25Dude25

Courtesy: Kerala Kaumudi

The standard soft cost component - which includes feasibility process, the design aspects, entitlement process and project management - of a major infrastructure project ranges from 2% to 5% of the total project cost. Vizhinjam's total cost is going to be in the range of Rs 4000 Crores, so the soft cost could range between Rs 20 - 80 Crores. I wonder why people tend to be so shocked at this, probably because no one has seen anything close to the magnitude of Vizhinjam in Kerala before.

[karunakaranashok]

Originally Posted by Ajaypp

The standard soft cost component - which includes feasibility process, the design aspects, entitlement process and project management - of a major infrastructure project ranges from 2% to 5% of the total project cost. Vizhinjam's total cost is going to be in the range of Rs 4000 Crores, so the soft cost could range between Rs 20 - 80 Crores. I wonder why people tend to be so shocked at this, probably because no one has seen anything close to the magnitude of Vizhinjam in Kerala before.

In kerala people have only seen projects handled by the likes of PWD/KSEB etc. There is a complete lack of understanding regarding how an idea translates into reality after passing thru various stages such as Conceptual design, FEED , EPC etc coupled with modern project management . The word 'consultancy" or "consultant" evokes the image of a charlatan/thug who hoodwinks the govt often with the connivance of greedy politician(s) who happens to hold some position of authority (color of the flag is immaterial). The ill informed press reporters of our vernacular media and petty political bickering and scandals have often pictured consultants as a pack of robbers.

[Ajaypp]

Originally Posted by karunakaranashok

In kerala people have only seen projects handled by the likes of PWD/KSEB etc. There is a complete lack of understanding regarding how an idea translates into reality after passing thru various stages such as Conceptual design, FEED , EPC etc coupled with modern project management .

Muchos gracias, it's good that at least the informed folks here like you understand that not everyone with an MBA and packing a PPT is a highway robber!

[BabuCS]

Originally Posted by karunakaranashok

In kerala people have only seen projects handled by the likes of PWD/KSEB etc. There is a complete lack of understanding regarding how an idea translates into reality after passing thru various stages such as Conceptual design, FEED , EPC etc coupled with modern project management . The word 'consultancy" or "consultant" evokes the image of a charlatan/thug who hoodwinks the govt often with the connivance of greedy politician(s) who happens to hold some position of authority (color of the flag is immaterial). The ill informed press reporters of our vernacular media and petty political bickering and scandals have often pictured consultants as a pack of robbers.

+1

[Rajeev_gs]

A good Article

Wonders Of Trivandrum: Vizhinjam - Port, Fort And What NotThe real wonder is the fall of this coastal town from being a world famous shipping harbor to a relatively small fishing harbour and its current reemergence as the 'Future of Trivandrum'| By Mukesh VenuOn Dec 28, 2011


Dubai, Colombo, Singapore, Mumbai, Cochin – all these great cities have one thing in common; all of them had begun their journey towards being world famous cities as small fishing harbours, frequented by foreign traders, thus granting them an acclaim that reached all four corners of the known world. But one name that should have taken a foremost position in this list of elites and yet somehow missed out on the honour, is that of Vizhinjam.

Going by history, it is Trivandrum which should be known as being a part of Vizhinjam. But somewhere along the pages of history, when the Cholas captured this port city in their battle against Kulashekharas, the world famous and quite possibly the first international shipping harbour of the subcontinent, slowly degenerated to lay hidden and forgotten, until the time arrived for history to repeat itself, and plans began to be laid anew for this ancient town to be developed into an International Transshipment Terminal.

Vizhinjam used to be the capital of the Ay dynasty whose kingdom stretched from Thiruvalla in the north to Nagercoil in the south, between 7th century ACE and11th century ACE. Back then, Vizhinjam was the centre of the region's commercial activity and its reputation as a major port in the east reached all edges of the then world map.

The population of Vizhinjam is essentially diverse, with more or less equal distribution of all three major religions. The Dutch and the Portuguese had arrived to conduct business here before Vasco da Gama ever stepped foot on Kerala's soil at Kappad beach in Calicut. The church that the Portugese built near the present fishing harbour area is still functioning and is now known as the 'Old Vizhinjam Church'. The Arabs were among the world's first traders - reason why an entire sea has been named after them. So it is only natural for them to come and settle down for business purposes at Vizhinjam, which was a capital city and a port where ships from all over the world arrived for trade and commerce. The mosque situated near the Vizhinjam fishing harbor presents one of the most beautiful sights in all of Trivandrum.

The township also has one of the few cave temples to be found in Kerala and only the second one to be found in Trivandrum, after the 'Madavoor Para' cave temple. This cave temple is what's left of the Ay dynasty which once ruled over modern South Kerala with Vizhinjam as their capital.

The Ay kings had also built a fort to protect their capital from sea attacks. If it were to have survived the tests of time, this fort could have been the oldest fort in the state of Kerala, built somewhere during the eighth century ACE and covering an area of 800 sq. metres. Remnants of this fort can still be found scattered among the rocky shores of the beach.

At present Vizhinjam is a fishing harbour and also a thriving tourist destination, with the entire area dotted with world class sea resorts and Ayurvedic treatment centres. This place of immense beauty and an as-of-yet incomplete history is also a geographical wonder. The reasons why Vizhinjam was chosen as the perfect spot for the upcoming international seaport project is fairly known to every one - its close proximity to the international shipping route, the natural setting and depth of the harbour and the favourable wind and climate enjoyed by the region. The correct location of the upcoming port terminal is in fact at 'Mulloor', three kilometres away from Vizhinjam town.

The plan to have an international shipping terminal at Vizhinjam is more than half a century old. The coming of such a port at Vizhinjam would spell doom for many of the ports in the Indian Ocean. Political lobbying had been the sole reason for the delay. But there is only so much that the discreet powers can do to delay the inevitable. Vizhinjam had been an international centre of sea commerce way before the other ports in the region were even baptized with a name. The importance of Vizhinjam as a major centre for sea trade has been well acknowledged in the past and will be acknowledged in future as well. It's only with the present that there is this slight hiccup. One of the more famous sayings in English is that of 'history repeating itself'. In the case of Vizhinjam, it will be proven once again why the saying has been appreciated globally as an ultimate truth.

A unique place with its history, community and geography, Vizhinjam is one among the unappreciated wonders of Trivandrum that's destined to carry the city to its future.

Source :- http://www.yentha.com/news/view/4/Vi...-of-trivandrum

[RajeshVR]

VISL to finalise master plan by June

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A workshop, involving stakeholders, will be held here in January ahead of finalising the master plan for the Vizhinjam seaport project. Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL), the State Government company in charge of the multi-crore project, plans to finalise the master plan and float the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) bids for the project by June when the ongoing Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) at Vizhinjam is scheduled to be completed.
A board meeting of the VISL held here on Wednesday reviewed the progress of the project. Major works undertaken thus far include land acquisition for the basic infrastructure such as road and rail connectivity.
The two firms whose technical bids were approved by the State Government had also received clearance from the Defence and External Affairs Ministries. The nod from the Home Ministry is awaited, subsequent to which the State Government will take up the financial proposals submitted by the two bidders for determining the private partner for the project.
The review, chaired by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who is chairman of VISL, went off satisfactorily, VISL CEO Suresh Babu said. Ports Minister K Babu, Finance Minister K M Mani, Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty, Chief Secretary P Prabhakaran and the finance secretary attended.

http://expressbuzz.com/cities/thiruv...ne/347965.html

[RajeshVR]

[3dsmax]

Originally Posted by Rajeev_gs

A good Article

Wonders Of Trivandrum: Vizhinjam - Port, Fort And What NotThe real wonder is the fall of this coastal town from being a world famous shipping harbor to a relatively small fishing harbour and its current reemergence as the 'Future of Trivandrum'| By Mukesh VenuOn Dec 28, 2011


Dubai, Colombo, Singapore, Mumbai, Cochin – all these great cities have one thing in common; all of them had begun their journey towards being world famous cities as small fishing harbours, frequented by foreign traders, thus granting them an acclaim that reached all four corners of the known world. But one name that should have taken a foremost position in this list of elites and yet somehow missed out on the honour, is that of Vizhinjam.

Going by history, it is Trivandrum which should be known as being a part of Vizhinjam. But somewhere along the pages of history, when the Cholas captured this port city in their battle against Kulashekharas, the world famous and quite possibly the first international shipping harbour of the subcontinent, slowly degenerated to lay hidden and forgotten, until the time arrived for history to repeat itself, and plans began to be laid anew for this ancient town to be developed into an International Transshipment Terminal.

Vizhinjam used to be the capital of the Ay dynasty whose kingdom stretched from Thiruvalla in the north to Nagercoil in the south, between 7th century ACE and11th century ACE. Back then, Vizhinjam was the centre of the region's commercial activity and its reputation as a major port in the east reached all edges of the then world map.

The population of Vizhinjam is essentially diverse, with more or less equal distribution of all three major religions. The Dutch and the Portuguese had arrived to conduct business here before Vasco da Gama ever stepped foot on Kerala's soil at Kappad beach in Calicut. The church that the Portugese built near the present fishing harbour area is still functioning and is now known as the 'Old Vizhinjam Church'. The Arabs were among the world's first traders - reason why an entire sea has been named after them. So it is only natural for them to come and settle down for business purposes at Vizhinjam, which was a capital city and a port where ships from all over the world arrived for trade and commerce. The mosque situated near the Vizhinjam fishing harbor presents one of the most beautiful sights in all of Trivandrum.

The township also has one of the few cave temples to be found in Kerala and only the second one to be found in Trivandrum, after the 'Madavoor Para' cave temple. This cave temple is what's left of the Ay dynasty which once ruled over modern South Kerala with Vizhinjam as their capital.

The Ay kings had also built a fort to protect their capital from sea attacks. If it were to have survived the tests of time, this fort could have been the oldest fort in the state of Kerala, built somewhere during the eighth century ACE and covering an area of 800 sq. metres. Remnants of this fort can still be found scattered among the rocky shores of the beach.

At present Vizhinjam is a fishing harbour and also a thriving tourist destination, with the entire area dotted with world class sea resorts and Ayurvedic treatment centres. This place of immense beauty and an as-of-yet incomplete history is also a geographical wonder. The reasons why Vizhinjam was chosen as the perfect spot for the upcoming international seaport project is fairly known to every one - its close proximity to the international shipping route, the natural setting and depth of the harbour and the favourable wind and climate enjoyed by the region. The correct location of the upcoming port terminal is in fact at 'Mulloor', three kilometres away from Vizhinjam town.

The plan to have an international shipping terminal at Vizhinjam is more than half a century old. The coming of such a port at Vizhinjam would spell doom for many of the ports in the Indian Ocean. Political lobbying had been the sole reason for the delay. But there is only so much that the discreet powers can do to delay the inevitable. Vizhinjam had been an international centre of sea commerce way before the other ports in the region were even baptized with a name. The importance of Vizhinjam as a major centre for sea trade has been well acknowledged in the past and will be acknowledged in future as well. It's only with the present that there is this slight hiccup. One of the more famous sayings in English is that of 'history repeating itself'. In the case of Vizhinjam, it will be proven once again why the saying has been appreciated globally as an ultimate truth.

A unique place with its history, community and geography, Vizhinjam is one among the unappreciated wonders of Trivandrum that's destined to carry the city to its future.

Source :- http://www.yentha.com/news/view/4/Vi...-of-trivandrum

Excellent

[Ajaypp]

Originally Posted by RajeshVR

The two firms whose technical bids were approved by the State Government had also received clearance from the Defence and External Affairs Ministries. The nod from the Home Ministry is awaited, subsequent to which the State Government will take up the financial proposals submitted by the two bidders for determining the private partner for the project.

It's pretty clear that Mundra will not get security clearance, as they have flunked the same thing four times within the last 12 months for whatever reasons. The way that this Government is delaying the decision makes it seem like there is some vested interest in favor of this bidder or against the project in general.

Having received two viable bids several months ago, there is no excuse for the Government not demanding a conclusive verdict from the Home Ministry, which is more likely than not to rule out Mundra. If the remaining bid is found to be financially viable, the tender should be awarded without further delay.

The longer the delay, the greater the chance that the Leighton consortium will lose interest and pull out like Lanco did the last time. If they do, there will be no one else to blame than OC & Co.

There were so many vociferous protests about the remote possibility of a dam in another part of the State suffering structural failure, why don't we see any of the same enthusiasm and interest in protesting against this attempt to sabotage the State's most important infrastructure project?