December 02, 2008

Kerala to invest INR 120 billion to develop ports in 3 years

Mr M Vijayakumar ports minister of Kerala in response to questions in the state assembly announced that Kerala government will be investing INR 120 billion for developing ports in the maritime state within the next 3 years and the investments would be made with the participation of private parties.

He said that the state government has plans to set up a maritime board for the comprehensive development of the ports. The ports to be developed under the project include Azheekal, Kottayam & Beypore.

Detailed project reports are already in place in respect of Azhikkal and Beypore ports and the government is in search for consultants to implement the project. The federal government has included Azhikkal port in its National Maritime Development Program.

The port is proposed to be developed to the maximum possible capacity in phases and on modular basis at an investment of INR.20 billion. The Beypore port, which is the second biggest in the state after Cochin port is proposed to be developed as an all weather port through public private partnership.