Thiruvananthapuram: Even as Adani
Vizhinjam Port Private Ltd (AVPPL) is citing lack of granites as one of the reason for the delay in Vizhinjam international
seaport project works, both state government and AVPPL are sitting idle on a remedial offer from residents in Koliyoor, hardly seven kilometres away from the port site.
Vizhinjam Mother Port Action Committee (V-MAC), a city-based NGO which is campaigning for speedy completion of port, has claimed that residents of Koliyoor have agreed to let Adani group source granites from a 10-acre rocky area at market rate. “When residents in Kilimanoor and Nagaroor are protesting against the attempt to source rocks from their areas, people in Koliyoor are willing to offer their land,” said V-MAC president Elias John.
The organization, he said, had already informed the government and AVPPL about the offer from a place where double the required granites could be mined, ‘but, both parties failed to respond’.
Now, with 30 days left in the 1,000 day-deadline promised by Adani Group to complete the port, V-MAC – supported by people from Koliyoor, will stage a protest in front of the Secretariat on Thursday. “This is to remind everyone about Adani group’s promise, which was made voluntarily despite the four-year period awarded by the government. Sufficient rocks are available at a nearby place and they are ignoring the offer,” John said.
V-MAC, which has been planting one cashew saplings for the past 500 days as part of its campaign for Vizhinjam port, had also pointed out possible sourcing of rocks from Vazhamuttom, from where rocks were mined for building Vizhinjam fishing harbour.
“Instead, they are trying to get granites from distant places despite public opposition. AVPPL is not ready to pay the market rate and they want it for free,” alleged John.
