The Government of Kerala will shortly invite global Expressions of Interest to develop ports in the state. At least three new ports are on the anvil - Bypore, Azhikkal and Alapuzha. The erstwhile Chandy government had considered Parisons Group (Kerala), Universal Lubricant (Sharjah) and Eco Environmental Consultancy (Mumbai), respectively, for the development of the above ports. However, the current V.S. Achuthanandan-led government has overturned this decision, ostensibly, to inject transparency."We want to develop the ports in a transparent manner, so we are planning to call for bids again. The companies whose earlier bids were considered are welcome to reapply," says Capt. S. Vijayan Pillai, Director of Ports, Government of Kerala. The tenders for development of these ports will be floated within three-four months.
The government will initially float bids to hire a consultant to help with the process of inviting global tenders and finalising the bids for development of the three ports. The tenders for selecting the consultant will be floated in a week's time and will be finalised within a month thereafter.The government is planning to develop a container-cum-bulk berth terminal at Bypore which will have a draft of four metres that can be further deepened to 8-10 metres. The port of Azhikkal, located 100 km south of New Mangalore Port, will have berths for oil, container, bulk, and general and passenger cargo. The third port at Alapuzha will have a couple of berths and a marina. The project reports for the all ports are ready and await improvisation by the consultants. The project has already got necessary clearances. All the three ports are well-connected to NH-17 connecting Mangalore and Kochi, and are close to railway lines. "The ports will be developed into modern ports and we will ensure that ships will not halt at the ports for more than two days, thus cutting down turnaround time," Pallai adds.
The government will initially float bids to hire a consultant to help with the process of inviting global tenders and finalising the bids for development of the three ports. The tenders for selecting the consultant will be floated in a week's time and will be finalised within a month thereafter.The government is planning to develop a container-cum-bulk berth terminal at Bypore which will have a draft of four metres that can be further deepened to 8-10 metres. The port of Azhikkal, located 100 km south of New Mangalore Port, will have berths for oil, container, bulk, and general and passenger cargo. The third port at Alapuzha will have a couple of berths and a marina. The project reports for the all ports are ready and await improvisation by the consultants. The project has already got necessary clearances. All the three ports are well-connected to NH-17 connecting Mangalore and Kochi, and are close to railway lines. "The ports will be developed into modern ports and we will ensure that ships will not halt at the ports for more than two days, thus cutting down turnaround time," Pallai adds.