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Thursday, Oct 15, 2009
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Vizhinjam infrastructure work soon

Special Correspondent

V.S. Achuthanandan says that the proposed work can be completed in 12 to 15 months.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Cabinet on Wednesday decided to take up development of infrastructure for the proposed Vizhinjam International Container Transhipment Terminal from next month.

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan told the media after the weekly Cabinet meeting that Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL), the government company formed for implementing the project, would start building the proposed road and other infrastructure. The Cabinet had sanctioned Rs.450 crore for the work. It would be possible to complete the work in 12 to 15 months.

Meanwhile, fresh global tenders would be floated for selecting a private partner for building and operating the transhipment terminal. It would be possible to identify the private partner by the end of next year. (Earlier attempts to finalise global tenders had to be aborted for want of Central clearance, court cases and other complications).

He said the Cabinet had entrusted VISL with the task of drawing up the proposal for the development of the road and railway line for the port. The company would hold discussions with the National Highways Authority of India and the Railways in that regard.

He said that several rounds of discussions would have to be completed before a decision could be taken on the proposed Sobha Hitech City and five other mega projects.

The Chief Minister declined to comment on the controversy over the Cabinet subcommittee recommending two industrialists for Padma awards. “All decisions in this regard may not be Cabinet decisions,” he said.

Mr. Achuthanandan said the Cabinet had approved the recommendations in the final report of the Sports Commission. The report contained 69 recommendations. These included recommendations for the formation of a sports university and inclusion of sports as a subject of study in schools. The commission was appointed in June last year to submit recommendations for the comprehensive development of sports in the State. Former Secretary (Sports and Youth Affairs) of the Union Government K.K. Pandya chaired the commission.

The Cabinet cleared a proposal for the revision of pay of employees of the Regional Cancer Centre here in tune with the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission on revision of salaries of government employees. It also decided to post Secretary of Land Board D. Bhaskaran as Collector of Wayanad.

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