Vizhinjam port: Shortage of rocks hit breakwater works
TNN | Jan 28, 2019, 23:40 ISTThiruvananthapuram: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in the Assembly that the company setting up Vizhinjam seaport has made it clear that there would be delay in construction of the port. Acute shortage of rocks has affected breakwater works.
As per the agreement the Adani Group of companies have to complete the first phase of the work by December 3, 2019. But they have sought another 16 months’ time to complete the work.
Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited has refused this request of the independent engineer, the CM said in reply to questions from MLAs T V Ibrahim, N Shamsuddin, Abid Hussain Thangal, K Ansalan and S Sarma.
As part of the first phase development works, construction of berths, container yards and setting up of breakwaters are going on. But there is acute shortage of rocks which has delayed the completion of works for breakwaters.
The dredging and reclamation work, which was stopped following Ockhi disaster, was resumed in December. However, work is progressing at a slow pace. Hence, the independent engineer who has been appointed to oversee the progress in work has informed that there would be delay in the beginning of construction of the port.
The chief minister said that once in every two weeks the port secretary is reviewing the work progress. Also, the project implementation committee headed by the chief secretary is reviewing progress.
As per the estimate there is a requirement for 70 lakh tonnes of rocks for the construction of breakwaters. However, the company is unable to source the rocks from the state.
As per the agreement the company which is setting up the port has to source the rocks and it is not the responsibility of the government. Since the company has sought the help of the government to source the rocks, the government has intervened in the issue.
There is an attempt to bring the rocks from Maharashtra. In addition to this the company itself has come forward for finding quarries from where they can source the rocks. All district collectors have been asked to help in identifying quarries from where the rocks can be sourced.
The Konkan Railway Corporation has been awarded with the works for connecting a rail line with the Vizhinjam port. For this a draft survey and a detailed project report has been completed by the corporation. The government is at present considering the DPR and once it gets sanction the land acquisition process will begin, said the chief minister.
As per the agreement the Adani Group of companies have to complete the first phase of the work by December 3, 2019. But they have sought another 16 months’ time to complete the work.
Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited has refused this request of the independent engineer, the CM said in reply to questions from MLAs T V Ibrahim, N Shamsuddin, Abid Hussain Thangal, K Ansalan and S Sarma.
As part of the first phase development works, construction of berths, container yards and setting up of breakwaters are going on. But there is acute shortage of rocks which has delayed the completion of works for breakwaters.
The dredging and reclamation work, which was stopped following Ockhi disaster, was resumed in December. However, work is progressing at a slow pace. Hence, the independent engineer who has been appointed to oversee the progress in work has informed that there would be delay in the beginning of construction of the port.
The chief minister said that once in every two weeks the port secretary is reviewing the work progress. Also, the project implementation committee headed by the chief secretary is reviewing progress.
As per the estimate there is a requirement for 70 lakh tonnes of rocks for the construction of breakwaters. However, the company is unable to source the rocks from the state.
As per the agreement the company which is setting up the port has to source the rocks and it is not the responsibility of the government. Since the company has sought the help of the government to source the rocks, the government has intervened in the issue.
There is an attempt to bring the rocks from Maharashtra. In addition to this the company itself has come forward for finding quarries from where they can source the rocks. All district collectors have been asked to help in identifying quarries from where the rocks can be sourced.
The Konkan Railway Corporation has been awarded with the works for connecting a rail line with the Vizhinjam port. For this a draft survey and a detailed project report has been completed by the corporation. The government is at present considering the DPR and once it gets sanction the land acquisition process will begin, said the chief minister.
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