T'puram: With Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL) set to be commissioned next month, chief secretary Sarada Muraleedharan has written to National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) chairman, urging immediate approval for interim and permanent road connectivity to the port. The request emphasizes the urgency of establishing access from the port to National Highway-66 (NH-66) at Thalakode, as container traffic is expected to begin soon after VISL's commissioning.
State govt proposed a temporary solution wherein NH-66 median needs to be cut and necessary traffic signboards installed to facilitate container movement. However, the final approval must come from NHAI headquarters. "We are awaiting NHAI's decision. Once approved, temporary connectivity will be implemented to ensure the smooth flow of container traffic. Meanwhile, the construction of a permanent cloverleaf intersection to link the port with NH-66 and the outer ring road will take at least three years to complete," said an official close to the project.
According to an NHAI official, they will start the median cutting works on receiving the approval from the headquarters. "We know the significance of the project. So we will complete the work as soon as possible once we receive the approval officially," said the official.
Adani Group, the port operator, expedited the construction of the approach road from Vizhinjam port to NH-66. State govt also made significant progress in land acquisition for the project. Of the required 42 cents, 35.81 cents were already acquired, and compensation totalling Rs 11 crore was disbursed to landowners. The acquired land is in the process of being transferred to Adani Group, which will oversee the construction.
Meanwhile, NHAI's regional office submitted geographical drawings of the proposed cloverleaf intersection to the central office for final approval. Simultaneously, six companies participated in an e-bidding process to become consultants for port-led industrialization at Vizhinjam. VISL opened the bids on Nov 7, and technical evaluations are underway. A consultant is expected to be finalized next month to conduct a detailed market study and prepare a feasibility analysis report.
Earlier, state ports minister VN Vasavan reiterated the importance of temporary connectivity to ensure uninterrupted movement of goods once the port becomes operational. Discussions between state govt, Adani Group and NHAI in August, aimed at expediting road connectivity works, have bolstered efforts to fast-track the interim arrangement.