Kerala government would formally approach the Union Ministry of Forests and Environment to get clearance for the Vizhinjam deepwater seaport and international transhipment container terminal project.
The state government would approach the union ministry after a public hearing is held on the project by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board.
The board would hold the hearing once it receives two reports – the environmental and social impact assessment study reports -from the state government.
These studies were conducted by the consultants L&T Ramboll and International Finance Corporation and the reports have been prepared.
Kerala Minister for excise and ports K Babu informed the state assembly that work on the project would likely commence by the year end soon after the union environment ministry gives clearance.
The tender documents for construction of the terminal is being prepared by the state government, which invested Rs 420 crore on the project and an incremental Rs 276 crore has been earmarked this financial year.
Giving an update, the minister said that as much as 90 per cent of the land needed for the back-up area and road and truck terminal (108.50 acre) had been acquired. Steps have been initiated to acquire another 100 acre at Kottukal for a warehouse, he added.
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