Kerala Chief Minister meets union ministers

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today met various union ministers here and discussed about projects ranging from Kochi metro rail and Vizhinjam international deepwater sea port project.
"The response of the Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari was very positive when the matter was brought before him," Chandy told reporters here after a meeting with Gadkari.
The much-awaited project had met with a hurdle with no companies submitting the final bid for taking up the contract for its construction and operation as last date for the bidding ended last month, citing disadvantages of cabotage law (right to conduct navigation in territorial waters.)

Chandy said that as part of government's commitment to implement the project, it would hold pre-bid discussion with the five companies that qualified for the contract.
Vizhinjam Seaport International Ltd (VSP), the special purpose vehicle set up for implementing the project, had extended the tender process for one more month.
The contract is for building port superstructure, estimated to cost of Rs.6000 crore and operate the port for a period of 40 years.

Five major port operating companies have qualified for submitting tenders after global tender floated by Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd.
Discussion on the development of national highways in the state was also held, Chandy said. It has been decided to start the work of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Alappuzha by-passes, he said.

A package for revival of public sector FACT at Kochi would get clearance from the Centre soon, he said.
Chandy also met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and discussed about Libya and Maldives, said an official release.
The Kerala Chief Minister also held a meeting with Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu and discussed about the Kochi metro rail.