Global tender for Vizhinjam port floated

Government of Kerala has envisaged implementation of the project on a PPP basis

The Kerala government today floated a global tender to decide on a private partner for the Rs 5,000-crore Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Searport near here.

Speaking to reporters after uploading the tender documents in Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL) website, Special Purpose Vehicle formed by the government, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the government has been able to take forward the project despite some hurdles.

Tenders for construction of break water and fish landing centre and Port operator was floated as the Expert Apprisal Committee of the Ministry of Environment had recommended conditional clearance for the project yesterday.

State Ports Minister K Babu said the forest phase of the project was planned to be completed in five years.

The Government of Kerala (GoK) has envisaged implementation of the project on a Public Private Partnership basis, where the construction and operation  would be on Build, Operate and Transfer model.