 Kochi:
With Cochin Port Trust (CPT) deciding to establish the
Rs 3,000-crore Vallarpadam Container Terminal on its own,
there will be a further delay in the ambitious project,
first proposed about 20 years back.
The
Rajiv Gandhi Container Terminal at CPT will be the immediate
beneficiary after the board asked its chairman Jacob
Thomas to give immediate attention to the terminal,
which will increase the cargo flow to Kochi.
The
upgrading of the Rajiv Gandhi Container Terminal was
lying unattended as the board was expecting the successful
bidder to start operations from the terminal soon.
For
setting up the Vallarpadam Terminal, the CPT is exploring
the possibility of raising funds through the Cochin
International Airport model, through private placement
of shares to the public.
The
Vallarpadam Container Terminal was one of the projects
listed by Prime Minister A B Vajpayee in the Kumarakam
Musings. The union shipping secretary is expected
to arrive in the city next week to discuss the future
course of action.
|
