This website is really an innovative way to maintain the interest and boost the pace of implementation of Vizhinjam Deepwater Container Transshipment Project. The suggestions and discussions here should go to the authorities regularly so that they can make use of it.

Vizhinjam Deepwater Transshipment Project can open new chapters in the development history of Kerala. Thousands of people will be benefited directly and indirectly by implementation over and above the money transaction that would vitalize our economy and state exchequer. Different from IT Sector development, lives of ordinary people will be uplifted by this project by way of job opportunities and connected service/trade/ business opportunities.

I would like to propose an online project monitoring system. Any large project would generally have three phases in implementation. They are

1. Pre-implementation
2. Implementation and
3. Post implementation.

This website is supposed to give support to the pre-implementation phase now. It can continue to serve the project in the implementation and post implementation phases also. It can be an effective way of social auditing, the most discussed factor in good governance. For serving this purpose effectively in the pre-implementation phase, the pre-implementation phase required to be planned in detail by listing the activities, sub activities, sub-sub activities through which the phase will be arriving its goal. This activities involve the following and more

· Finalization of tender conditions in consultation with Government of India etc
· Tender procedures – from tender notification to finalization (taking this as an activity, sub activities and sub-sub activities required to be enlisted)
· Preparation/ installation of basic infrastructure such as road rail connectivity etc
· And more as identified based on discussions.

Important milestones required to be identified for completing each such activity, sub activity etc. Thereafter Nodal Offices required to be entrusted to report the progress based on achieving each such milestones identified. The total plan such developed may be put of public viewing with progress updated regularly. It will help the officials and the public alike. Based on such online progress reports, the authorities and public may conduct regular reviews and find out/engage remedy measures wherever required.

Welcome to the forum , Prasad

Your suggestion is whole heartedly accepted.We do need to have a very active monitoring system.If there are more people like yourself willing to chip in with their bit, that is certainly possible.We would really need some insiders and people in the knowhow of such matters coming forward and helping us in this matter.We certainly hope that that is the case as we move forward.

As such the present status of the Project as per media reports is that the State Govt is waiting for a formal letter of rejection of the security clearance to the Chinese firm short listed in the previous bid.Once that is received , it is claimed that a new global tender notice would be issued.

As you mentioned in your post , we certainly are in the pre - implementation stage of the project.As we can see there are a lot of important issues that people may not be fully aware of , even in these initial stages.Issues such as the one raised by Biju in his post ( Vizhinjam-Supporting infrastructure needed ).

As we move through the different phases of the project , more challenges will crop up - even social and environmental issues , compensation for displaced people , countering the powerful lobbying forces (vested interests) working against the interests of our country , etc.

It would be great to have more views on the different aspects of this project which would help enhance the awareness of people.Looking forward to informative and thought provoking views from more contributors.

It is suggested that we dedicate this forum topic to Planning the Project-and online monitoring as has been suggested by Mr Prasad.The co-operation of our members in this matter is greatly appreciated.


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Thank you for commenting on my post.

It would be better if an activity plan with fixed time frame is finalized in association with the Ports Department, Govt. of Kerala and its Ministry and the same published in media including this site.

It can include constitution of an official/expert team for drafting of guidelines/conditions for fresh bidding, drafting the same, consultations with Government of India and finalization of the same etc etc

Yes. I feel the state govt should act as if we got all consent for the port. I mean the infrastructure development such as building road, actions for rail connectivity etc. This will make a total feel that 'Mother Port Vizhinjam is coming'. As suggested, a good management team is very much required to cope up with present situations like re-tendering and associated problems. It is important to take pro-active steps as we have no time to waste as kolachal too marching up. Frat can do a lot for this purpose.Greetings to all.Let 2007 brings good news bout Vizhinjam.

U are right Sreesailam, there is no time to waste. Hasty and stable steps are very much required

Sir
Appropose to Vizhinjam re-tendering, Our Ex- port minister Shri. M.V.Raghavan made a notable proposal(Mathrubhoomi dated 4/1/2007) . He suggests Swiss Challenge method rather than re-tendering. That is getting an offer from a reliable party to construct the port and notify for getting a better one. If a more attractive one comes it will be taken else the initial one will be considered. This saves time considerably.Retendering is a one year long process.

He also told that though 22 firms came forward for vizhinjam in the beginning, only two submitted their offer against the tender. Why others went off?? He clearly says it is the lack of other infrastructure in Vizhinjam. I sugest you all to read Shri.Raghavan article. It is overwhelming that even after his quitting office, he follows up his works.

Appropose to Vizhinjam re-tendering, Our Ex- port minister Shri. M.V.Raghavan made a notable proposal(Mathrubhoomi dated 4/1/2007) . He suggests Swiss Challenge method rather than re-tendering. That is getting an offer from a reliable party to construct the port and notify for getting a better one. If a more attractive one comes it will be taken else the initial one will be considered. This saves time considerably.Retendering is a one year long process.

He also told that though 22 firms came forward for vizhinjam in the beginning, only two submitted their offer against the tender. Why others went off?? He clearly says it is the lack of other infrastructure in Vizhinjam. I sugest you all to read Shri.Raghavan article. It is overwhelming that even after his quitting office, he follows up his works.

The project updation added on 08/01/2007 gives great expectations.

The demand of the ‘Vizhinjam Mother Port Action Council (V-MAC)’ , as given in the project update posted on 09/01/2007, is very much valid. Immediate actions are required to utilize the current budget provision for building infrastructure, land acquisition etc. While searching the net I found the official site for the port project , ie, www.vizport.org Steps required to be taken for publishing official updates in that site also. Similarly the declared time frame for completing the bid process should also be reduced to the maximum extent possible.

It is a shocking news that our govt takes things as easy going. Their bidding process will take a hell of amount of time.There are methods like swiss challenge' as proposed by Shri. M.V.Raghaven. Even after the bidding process they will recommend a firm and seek clearance from defence ministry, Environmental, Home etc. They will take months to study and to give clearance.may not give also.V-MAC is doing excellent job.Please keep up this tempo.Sometimes it feels that there are more people working for not to construct Vizhinjam port than to construct!!!. For vizhinjam all the teder papers are once prepared. Retendering is only change the dates and publish once more.For that also they take months.

Even after getting tremendous support from the local people, the government is showing little interest towards taking some concrete steps. It seems Kerala government is least interested in constructing the port. Death knell for Vizhinjam has already been sounded by our neighbour state's ambition to construct a port at colachel. The Tamilnadu government has already given NOC for constructing a major port at Colachel and Union shipping minister Mr. Balu has assured that construction will begin by next december (THE HINDU, 17/01/2007). This is going to be the end of vizhinjam port prospects. The dream of Trivandrumites seems to be a non starter. It is a pity that Mr. Vijayakumar who is at the helm of the affairs and who belongs to trivandrum is able to do nothing. A silent death like what happened to establishment of the high cour bench is awaiting vizhinjam.

As per the press conference statement of the Ports Minister on 07-01-2007, the tender documents would be placed for the approval of the Central Government within a fortnight. Let us hope it in the coming week. However. Vizhinjamport.org may also take follow up to see that it is done within the declared time limit.

Any information regarding finalization and submission of the bid documents to the Central government as declared earlier?