MEGAPROJECT: Vizhinjam Container Transshipment Terminal | Under Development

[sajith]

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Thiruvananthapuram’s pet project has got a new tagline - ‘Where the Future Docks.’ The tagline heralds a new, limited edition brochure the Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL) has brought out on the Vizhinjam International Deepwater Seaport Project. Richly designed in deep greens and blues, the brochure offers a quick glimpse into the whys, whats and hows of the project. The highlight is a panoramic shot of the project area with a short history of Vizhinjam, which finds mention in Greek maritime records of the first century as ‘Balita.’
The brochure has a map of the Indian Ocean region marking the major ports and international shipping lane. The brochure, designed by Stark, gives particulars about the project, its advantages and break-up of the three phases in which the port is to be developed under ‘Landlord Model.’
‘’We didn’t want to be too technical. We wanted to explain the project in a simple manner,’’ VISL CEO and MD A S Suresh Babu said. The idea for a brochure was also born out of a need.
VISL, which will soon float EPC bids globally for port construction, is currently in talks with various agencies, including HUDCO and LIC, for raising funds for the first phase. The State has to find ` 3,040 crore for the ` 4,010-crore Phase I. A detailed, up-to-date brochure was required at this juncture, VISL officials said.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/vizhinjam...47-62-133.html

[sudheeshnairs]

I like it ' Where future docks ':-)

[Rajeev_gs]

Guys,

There are many disturbing posters appearing in and around Vizhinjam since last two days. In the name of safeguarding families from land acquisition. Main allegation in these posters is that, government is acquiring land from Chowara to Kottapuram, Near the vizhinjam Harbour and trying to hand it over to the Land mafia. Though some of the posters are against the land acquistions, remaining posters demand 'No Port'. This all in the name of some 'Janakiya Prathirodha Samithi'.

They also spreading news that, " the port is going to affect the livelihood of thousand's people who depeneds on the revenue from tourism". Clearly there are some vested interests behind this. They are targeting the common people in this area and spreading the message that if the port materialise, they would have to vacate from vizhinjam.

This is a very dangerous situation, as the people in this area are very sensitive. Government should take some pro active steps immediately (if they are genuinly interested in this project ) before the things go out of control

[BabuCS]

Originally Posted by Rajeev_gs

Guys,

There are many disturbing posters appearing in and around Vizhinjam since last two days. In the name of safeguarding families from land acquisition. Main allegation in these posters is that, government is acquiring land from Chowara to Kottapuram, Near the vizhinjam Harbour and trying to hand it over to the Land mafia. Though some of the posters are against the land acquistions, remaining posters demand 'No Port'. This all in the name of some 'Janakiya Prathirodha Samithi'.

They also spreading news that, " the port is going to affect the livelihood of thousand's people who depeneds on the revenue from tourism". Clearly there are some vested interests behind this. They are targeting the common people in this area and spreading the message that if the port materialise, they would have to vacate from vizhinjam.

This is a very dangerous situation, as the people in this area are very sensitive. Government should take some pro active steps immediately (if they are genuinly interested in this project ) before the things go out of control

May be the same vested interests that operate near Kudankulam. After all vizhinjam is near to that place. True, the Govt must wake up before things go vilappilsala way.

[SajithVijayan]

Originally Posted by BabuCS

May be the same vested interests that operate near Kudankulam. After all vizhinjam is near to that place. True, the Govt must wake up before things go vilappilsala way.

Enthina veruthe thamizhanmarude thalayil kerunnathu.. Resort Mafia arokke anennu namukku nannayi ariyavunnathalle ullu..

[sudheeshnairs]

Originally Posted by SajithVijayan

Enthina veruthe thamizhanmarude thalayil kerunnathu.. Resort Mafia arokke anennu namukku nannayi ariyavunnathalle ullu..

True, why bring in Koodamkulam in this.

Vizhinjam would be having more interests working against from Kerala itself rather than from TN. And as Sajith said why blame them in this, we should look towards those guys who have resorts just by the side of the Vizhinjam site

[ajithv]

Why indirectly mentioning those resort mafia.Be specific; lead by "Surya Samudra & Co."

[SajithVijayan]

Originally Posted by ajithv

Why indirectly mentioning those resort mafia.Be specific; lead by "Surya Samudra & Co."

Nowadays vested interests are using the tag "Janakiya _______ Samithi" for each and everything to get a feel that it is for the common people

[sudheeshnairs]

Originally Posted by ajithv

Why indirectly mentioning those resort mafia.Be specific; lead by "Surya Samudra & Co."

Infact I was not getting that name, you know it is Sunday night...:-)

And I think there were connections to the State administrative machinery too, right??

One think we need to say : 'Kalippu kanicha chavitti thechu kalayum azhukka payale!!'

[ajithv]

Well, if anybody visited that beachduring when Surya Samudra was constructed can easily identify the difference after the Vizhinjam Project heated up during M.V Raghavan's tenure as ports minister.That present statue in the beach was sponsored/funded by M/s Somatheeram. Its an open fact. No wonder they & others may play any or similar tactics with help of money hungered morons in and around.

[sudheeshnairs]

Originally Posted by ajithv

Well, if anybody visited that beachduring when Surya Samudra was constructed can easily identify the difference after the Vizhinjam Project heated up during M.V Raghavan's tenure as ports minister.That present statue in the beach was sponsored/funded by M/s Surya Samudra. Its an open fact. No wonder they & others may play any or similar tactics with help of money hungered morons in and around.

Which statue? I remember seeing one Jesus statue on the beach near manaltheeram resort.

[ajithv]

Its not Manaltheeram, but Somatheeram.I also edited my post..I mistakenly mentioned as Surya Samudra.
Anyway, all those are in the game.

[sudheeshnairs]

Somatheeram and manaltheeram are both under same management, under Mr.Baby Mathew who is the Chairman of Jeevan TV also.

That Statue is in manaltheeram beach, I had been there when I was in Tvm, before 2008.

[ajithv]

soman aayalum baby ayaalum...modakalu thanne

[sudheeshnairs]

Athanu paranjathu modakalu kanicha chavitti thechu kalayanam ennu..

[BabuCS]

Originally Posted by SajithVijayan

Enthina veruthe thamizhanmarude thalayil kerunnathu.. Resort Mafia arokke anennu namukku nannayi ariyavunnathalle ullu..

Originally Posted by sudheeshnairs

True, why bring in Koodamkulam in this.

Vizhinjam would be having more interests working against from Kerala itself rather than from TN. And as Sajith said why blame them in this, we should look towards those guys who have resorts just by the side of the Vizhinjam site

I didn't mention any Tamil involvement here, I only meant that the protesters are the counterparts of Kudankulam movement, across the border.
Of course, the resort mafia is part of this.

[krp]

Yes, some resorts are playing spoilsport.. Wondering why they are unnecessarily worried as Kovalam beach is distinctly away and secluded from Vizhinjam coast...

there are examples in other parts of our country like Marina beach and Chennai port next to each other, Juhu beach and JNPT next to each other and renowned Goan beaches next to huge Mormugao port...

look at this old report..
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http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kerala...age/7510?var=1

The agreement envisages the development of Vizhinjam as a commercial port with international standards to handle large-sized container mother vessels.

Once a major port comes close to it, the foreign tourists would be reluctant to visit Kovalam,? said Baby Mathew, managing director of the Somatheeram Ayurvedic Resorts at Vizhinjam.
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[Ajaypp]

Originally Posted by krp

Yes, some resorts are playing spoilsport.. Wondering why they are unnecessarily worried as Kovalam beach is distinctly away and secluded from Vizhinjam coast...

there are examples in other parts of our country like Marina beach and Chennai port next to each other, Juhu beach and JNPT next to each other and renowned Goan beaches next to huge Mormugao port...

Sentosa Island, which probably gets more foreign tourists than Kerala and Goa combined, lies WITHIN the Port of Singapore.

Moreover, given its location, draft, operations cost and proximity to tourist destinations and the International Airport, Vizhinjam will become the top cruise destination and that could add tens of thousands of room nights to hotels in and around Kovalam.

Unfortunately, the same sort of narrow minded interests that have prevented the development of Vizhinjam over the last 50 years are in play with these resorts.

[Tri Man]

Originally Posted by krp

Yes, some resorts are playing spoilsport.. Wondering why they are unnecessarily worried as Kovalam beach is distinctly away and secluded from Vizhinjam coast......

Once a major port comes close to it, the foreign tourists would be reluctant to visit Kovalam,? said Baby Mathew, managing director of the Somatheeram Ayurvedic Resorts at Vizhinjam.
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This guy is making comment without full market research.

The cruise liners will make Vizhinjam a stoppage point in future,increasing the tourist inflow into Kovalam to Varkala stretch.This will have a big impact on tourism as with the case of TIA T3.

If Kovalam is loosing its charm in any way,it is because of untidiness,lack of proper infrastructure,stray dogs,disturbances from street vendors and anti-social elements,cheating incidents involving auto and taxi drivers,nokku kooli and unloading charges from trade unions.....molestation cases,....
(just read the Kovalam section in books on India,normally carried by all tourists).

The proposed port will enable settingup of Marina.

[sudheeshnairs]

Originally Posted by Tri Man

Once,the proposed water way between Kovalam and Shornur gets commissioned,this will serve as starting point for houseboat tourism in Kerala.

Please don't deviate, Vizhinjam/Kovalam need not look up to other places or Houseboat tourism.

And the TS canal cannot sustain the houseboats of today's sizes through out its length. Hope you have seen the pics of the tunnels at Varkala. Also the size of the canals near Kollam.