Thiruvananthapuram: The tender process for the Vizhinjam seaport project is likely to be taken up by February as the National Green Tribunal will hear the final argument on January 27 and 28.
Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL) CEO A.S. Suresh Babu told Deccan Chronicle that all the hurdles for the project would be overcome if they got a positive response in the case relating to the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) sanction from the green tribunal.
Moreover, the case relating to the Coastal Regulation Zone would come up before the Supreme Court on January 10, Mr Babu said.
The government had earlier extended the last date for submitting global tenders for the construction of infrastructure for the Vizhinjam international seaport several times.
The last date was extended from January 21 to February 4 following a request from the three firms that had purchased the bid documents.
This was informed by Ports Minister K.Babu in the Assembly the other day. They sought more time for submitting proposals for the construction of a breakwater, fish landing centre and berths for the Coast Guard and Indian Navy, apart from entering into a Public Private Partnership (PPP) for dredging, reclamation and superstructure equipment operation. The expected cost for the first phase of the Vizhinjam project is Rs 6,647 crore.
