The Kerala cabinet is reported to have cleared INR 450 crore for work on the initial phase of the proposed Vizhinjam International Container Transhipment Terminal project.

The Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd a company floated by the state government to implement the project will coordinate work on associated infrastructure development.

Mr M Vijayakumar state minister for law parliamentary affairs and ports said that the project includes ensuring rail and road connectivity, water supply and electricity.

It said that work on the project was expected to start next month. RITES was being commissioned to take care of the rail-road connectivity issues.

The Cochin International Airport Ltd model of public private partnership would be adopted to build the container terminal.

The Minister added that fresh tenders would be floated early next year to select a private partner of international repute to build and operate the transhipment terminal.

(Sourced from Exim News Service)