The Kerala government will invite fresh expressions of interest for the Vizhinjam International Sea Port proposed near Thiruvananthapuram by this month.
Ports minister M Vijayakumar told the Assembly during question hour that the government was planning to award the contract by the end of this year itself and the work was expected to commence in 2011.
The government had invited global tenders for the project, which was mooted during the UDF regime, twice. However, on both the occasions it failed to execute.
The Union home ministry had opposed the first tender on 'security concerns' as a few companies that participated in the process had connections with Chinese companies.
The second time, one of the companies approached the court, thereby hindering the process.
The project upon completion is expected to create 5,000 direct and 100,000 indirect jobs.
Vijayakumar informed the House that the government proposed to implement the project in two parts — developing basic infrastructure like rail and road and the development of the international terminal.
The government would spend Rs 1,000 crore for infrastructure. He added that Rs 450 crore had been earmarked in the Budget for infrastructure development.
The state had set up a separate company, Vizhinjam International Sea Port Limited, for implementing the project. Vizhinjam has the natural advantage of 17 metres draft, hence less dredging is required.
The proposed site is the nearest spot from the international sea route between West Asia and the Far East. The land acquisition process for the road connectivity is now in the final stage.
