Kerala CM to meet PM to convey State’s concerns over Kulachal port

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarai Vijayan told the Assembly on Friday that the government had communicated to the Centre its concerns regarding the approval, in principle, granted for Kulachal port within 30 km from the Vizhinjam port under construction in Kerala.

He had also sought an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi this month to take up the issue directly with him.

Replying to a submission made by M. Vincent (Congress), the Chief Minister said that the Kulachal Port (Tamil Nadu) would require higher viability gap funding than Vizhinjam. It was irrational and unscientific to take up construction of a second unviable port within 30 km.

Mr. Vijayan said that the government would do everything for coordination and timely completion of the Vizhinjam Port. However, the control was with Adani group.

He recalled that the previous government had abandoned the proposal for landlord model for the development of the port and handed over the project to private sector. This would lead to cost escalation. The cost was expected to be Rs. 7255 crore. Rs. 816 would be required as viability gap funding.

Mr. Vincent said that the Vizhinjam port was planned based on ship traffic though the region. The marketing prospects of Kulachal port too was based on the same traffic. This raised concerns.

He recalled that Shipping Ministry had earlier objected to Vizhinjam Port saying that the Vallarpadam Container project was within 2000 km. Now, it was permitting another port within 30 km.