The Hindu : Rs. 3-cr. project for Coast Guard station

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 02, 2004

Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Rs. 3-cr. project for Coast Guard station

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, FEB. 1. The Minister of State for Defence, O. Rajagopal, today announced a Rs.3-crore project to set up a complex at the Coast Guard station at Vizhinjam. The Minister who visited the station on the occasion of the Coast Guard Day said that the proposed complex would include an administative building, officers' quarters, parade ground and a helipad. The complex will be constructed on 5.6 acres of land provided free of cost by the State Government.

Highlighting the need for an exclusive berth for Coast Guard ships at the Vizhinjam harbour, Mr. Rajagopal called for a joint effort by the State Government and the Coast Guard to strengthen and widen the berth. "Although the State Government has proposed a 40-metre berth, the present condition of the berth is not suitable for the operation of Coast Guard vessels. If the State submits a definite proposal for leasing out the berth to the Coast Guard and developing it as a package, the Central Government can take a decision on the project," he said.

The Minister said the Centre had decided to set up another Coast Guard station at Beypore in Kozhikode district. He said that the work on the project would commence only after the State Government releases the land. Mr. Rajagopal reiterated that the Vizhinjam and Azheekal ports would be developed and modernised under the Rs.50,000-crore Sagarmala project taken up by the Central Government.

The Coast Guard Commander, M.S. Dangi and the Deputy Commandant, O. G. Kutty, accompanied the Minister.

Later, talking to newsmen, Mr. Rajagopal denied reports that he had lobbied for the container transhipment terminal at Vallarpadam in Kochi. "I have no objection to the project coming up anywhere in the State. I am not for any controversy on the issue. It was the State Government which proposed Vallarpadam as a potential site," he said.

The Minister visited the marine aquarium set up by the Central Marine Fisheries and Research Institute (CMFRI) at Vizhinjam. Asked about the reported decision to relocate the aquarium to Mandapam in Tamil Nadu, he said he had appraised the Centre of the need to retain it at Thiruvananthapuram.

Mr. Rajagopal also visited the Pulloorkonam colony set up to rehabilitate the families displaced for the Vizhinjam harbour project. He said the Government would honour its commitment to provide basic facilities in the colony.

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