Hi all, Iam all for Vizhinjam port coming up and best wishes for this project to realise at the earliest.

There is general perception outside and rumours spread that Vizhinjam being in deep south is poorly connected to the rest of the country. This should be removed at the earliest. For example one of the reasons cited by those against Vizhinjam was that the North South road corridor does not reach Vizhinjam but stops at Cochin in North and Nagercoil in South. Similarly, railway doubling is there only upto Ernakulam though doubling work progressing to Tvm. There is a strong perception being created in certain circles that Vizhinjam lacks good connectivity to the national hinterland.

Just to add my few points on the supporting infrastructure which is very important and vital for the port to become successful. Any port needs to have a good road/rail network from the hinterland. For Vizhinjam, the hinterland is primarily North, West and South India. Thus I have following suggestions:

1. The Govt. should immediately get approval for a 4Lane Link road under NHDP from Trivandrum to Tirunelveli via Kattakada, Kottur, Ambasamudram thereby geting a direct link to North-South road corridor at Tirunelveli. Trivandrum is the only state capital left out from this NHDP programme and this link road via Kattakada should be obtained as a compensation. The present plan for upgradation of Trivandrum Nagercoil NH 47 alone is not a proper compensation as already such a plan was there to convert Kanyakumari Cherthala NH47 stretch to 4-lane.

Moreover, Tirunelveli district in Tamilnadu is bordering Trivandrum district in Kerala. All border districts are connected by atleast one main road whereas these two border districts are connected by none. This is another strong reason to push for this road project.

The north South Corridor under NHDP is from Delhi to Kanyakumari via Bhopal, Hyderabad,Bangalore,Salem, Tirunelveli. It is very important that Vizhinjam gets a direct 4-lane link road to the North South corridor at Tirunelveli.

2. A rail line from Vizhinjam to Balaramapuram in the existing rail network should be built at the earliest and a goods terminal may be built at Nemom Jn. where Railways have plenty of land. A new rail line from Nemom to Kottarakara via Malayankizh, Kachani, Nedumangad, Kilimanur will provide alternate rail route from Vizhinjam to the national hinterland through Shencottah once Punalur-Tenkasi BG conversion is completed.

3. A 4 lane ring road connecting Vizhinjam to Balaramapuram, Malayankizh, Kattakada, Nedumangad, Venjaramood, Attingal will provide a loop road for trucks carrying containers without entering city limits.

4. Many of the roads in the city cannot carry heavy trucks like those with 10 wheels. I have seen very often the trucks meant for ISRO at Vattiyoorkavu being stopped many times in the middle of road from Vellayambalam to Nettayam as overhead lines between posts crisscross the roads at lower height causing obstruction to the truck with load of more heights. The police has to arrive at the scene and make arrangements by raising the height of these lines and then allow the trucks to proceed causing heavy delay to these truck movements.

My suggestion is to improve the road network in the city such that atleast main roads in the city has the capability to carry heavy trucks without hindrance.

Stopping for now.

Best regards


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Biju Velayudhan

Welcome to the forum , Biju

Quote:

1. The Govt. should immediately get approval for a 4Lane Link road under NHDP from Trivandrum to Tirunelveli via Kattakada, Kottur, Ambasamudram thereby geting a direct link to North-South road corridor at Tirunelveli. Trivandrum is the only state capital left out from this NHDP programme and this link road via Kattakada should be obtained as a compensation. The present plan for upgradation of Trivandrum Nagercoil NH 47 alone is not a proper compensation as already such a plan was there to convert Kanyakumari Cherthala NH47 stretch to 4-lane.

Moreover, Tirunelveli district in Tamilnadu is bordering Trivandrum district in Kerala. All border districts are connected by atleast one main road whereas these two border districts are connected by none. This is another strong reason to push for this road project.

The north South Corridor under NHDP is from Delhi to Kanyakumari via Bhopal, Hyderabad,Bangalore,Salem, Tirunelveli. It is very important that Vizhinjam gets a direct 4-lane link road to the North South corridor at Tirunelveli.

- I coudnt agree with you more.

I have been going through the feasibility Studies presented in the Kerala Government website (study conducted by M/s L&T-RAMBOLL Consulting Engineers Limited, in association with ROGGE Marine Consulting GMBH, Germany, RAMBOLL, Denmark and L&T Capital Company Limited) but it does not look promising at all with regards to the important point that you have raised here.

The feasibility study does mention about connectivity to the hinderland.But the solutions provided in the Initial connectivity plan as well as the final connectivity plan does not mention linking up the port with the North South corridor ( Golden Quadrilateral ).It only mentions linking up with the NH Bypass.How could such a strategically important link be omitted from the plans ? Or is it that studies regarding this are still going on ?


Also in this news item Kerala to float fresh tender for Vizhinjam project , it does mention start up of infrastructural development towards this project.

Quote:

They said that the Government would, meanwhile, start work on putting in place basic infrastructure such as rail and road connectivity and electricity and water supply to the project site. This would cost around Rs 80 crore and the current year's budget had earmarked Rs 10 crore for the purpose.

I believe the current plan does not include the linking with the North South National Grid.


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Manu
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Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake

Hi Manu, Iam posting below newspaper article that came up in 2003 . It is very clear there was initially a move to bring up this road project between Thiruvananthpuram and Tirunelveli as link to North-South corridor. After that, nobody knows what happened!!


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Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Oct 21, 2003

State capital not included in NHDP
By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Oct. 20. Even as the State Government is going ahead with the capital region development projects, Thiruvananthapuram has not found a place in the National Highway Development Project (NHDP) drawn up by the Central Government for linking all the States from Srinagar to Kanyakumari through a 14,000-km road.

The programme has been highlighted as the biggest infrastructure development project in the country and as a world-class road development scheme connecting all the corners of the country. Wherever the NHDP skips the State capital, a separate connectivity scheme has also been proposed, whereby such State capitals would be linked to the nearest point in the NHDP network.

According to the map for the proposed four and six-lane road published by the Central Government, all the 27 out of the 28 State capitals from Srinagar to Chennai, have been included. But there is no indication about Thiruvananthapuram in the map.

The first phase linking Delhi, Kolkatta, Chennai and Mumbai, covering 5846 km, is estimated to cost Rs. 25,050 crores. This stretch is expected to be completed by December 2004.

The corridor linking Kashmir, Kanyakumari, Silchar and Porbandhar, spanning 7,300 km, is expected to cost Rs. 30,000 crores. Work on the stretch is expected to be completed by December 2007. A scheme to link the major ports in the country is also on the anvil.

The Environment and Development Initiatives for Thiruananthapuram has presented a memorandum to the Union Road Transport and Highways Minister, B.C. Khanduri, seeking to include Thiruvananthapuram too in the network. According to the memorandum, there was a road linking Thiruvananthapuram and Tirunelveli from the pre-Independence period and that is now in disuse.

The Thiruvananthapuram-Kattakada-Ambasamudram-Tirunelveli road if included in the scheme, the distance between, the capital and Tirunelveli can be reduced by 86 km. The road, if developed, would be of great significance to the southern districts which are depending on Tamil Nadu for grain, flower and building materials. This can also provide a connection with Tuticorin as it is already connected to Tirunelveli through the NH-7 A. The memorandum urged the Minister to examine the proposal in the context of the benefits and include Thiruvananthapuram too in the project.
==================================================


Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 22, 2004

Plea to include capital in NHDP
By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, MARCH 21. The Government would hold discussions to try and include Thiruvananthapuram in the National Highway Development Project (NHDP), the Public Works Department Minister, M.K. Muneer, has said.

Dr. Muneer told a delegation of the Capital City Development Forum led by the former Speaker, M. Vijayakumar, and the secretary, K.T. Roy, which called on him today, that the Government would urge the Centre to link the city with Tirunelveli through the Ambasamudram-Kottoor-Kattakada Road.
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Biju Velayudhan

Please check out the website of National Highway authority and the map located at

http://www.nhai.org/nhdpmain_english.htm


You will find the North South Corridor runs from Srinagar in Kashmir to Kanyakumari in Tamilnadu. Golden triangle road links Chennai,Mumbai,Delhi and Kolkata.

For Kerala, a link road from Salem to Cochin is seen provided from the North-South Corridor in the NHAI map.

In the NHAI map, Trivandrum is NOT CONNECTED at all by NHDP programme.
It is a matter of shame for the state capital of Kerala, its citizens and its politicians that no voice is being raised for such a link road to the state capital. Trivandrum is the ONLY state capital in India left out in this NHDP programme. Even Srinagar in Kashmir which has ghat sections to reach, is included in this NHDP programme.

During 2004, there was a proposal for link road connecting Trivandrum to Tirunelveli as part of NHDP link road programme. I sent an email to NHAI directly under Minster Shri Baalu. I got a reply from an official that they will check and get back on the status. For many months afterwards, there was no reply at all.

Hence, I think the state govt. should ask for proper compensation to the state capital by obtaining a link road to Tirunelveli considering the upcoming Vizhinjam port.

In addition, The government of Kerala along with Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra Govt, should request Central Govt. for additional North-South Corridor from Mumbai to Vizhinjam via Goa,Calicut thus providing a good road link from western India.


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Biju Velayudhan

Good information on infrastructure, M/s Biju, thank you.

I also want to add that an inland water way is already there between Kovalam and Kasaragod, though in bad shape and may be unusable at many stretches. Renovation of Kovalam-Kasaragod waterway will be useful for transporting goods within the state of Kerala.

As for the new road project you mention via Kattakada, Ambasamudram to Tirunelveli, I support it . There are many inter state roads between Kerala and Tamilnadu via Ghats some like Cochin-Madurai, Quilon-Shencottah and Kottayam-Theni, I guess, were recently upgraded to NH.

As you correctly said, there is need for a good road connectivity to North South Corridor to access the hinterland of North and South. Connecting via Kattakada, Ambasamudram to Tirunelveli will reduce 86km compared to Nagercoil route. Hence, such a project may be requested for as a decent compensation to the Kerala state capital.

The other proposal by you to have a new rail line via Nedumangad is very welcome . I guess such a proposal is already sent to Railway Ministry, if I remember. A rail link from Kottarakara through Kilimanur, Nedumagad to Vizhinjam will be good alternative route for goods wagons as already Nagercoil-Trivandrum-Ernakulam line is busy and may be difficult to accommodate the additional goods from container traffic when Vizhinjam port realises. A railway terminal at Nemom may be considered both for goods as weel as passengers.


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Manoj J.
Thiruvananthapuram

Dear Shri Biju,
I read ur article with great intrest. It is a fine article which should have been gone thro' the authorities.
Highway and rail connectivities are esentially established simultaneously taking up the mega Project. All items listed in your article are to be taken up on priority basis.
The NDA regime did not approve a connectivity by road from Nagerkovil and from Kottarakkara to The Kerala Capital. But our Govt. was not rearnest in getting the same sanctioned. The LDF govt. was shying away to ask and pushing the requests whilt the TamilNadu Govt. was taking all out efforts to get Mega Projects to them irrespective of Govts. at Centre. Every body knows that they were enthusiastic only in arranging Bundha and Hartals most of which seldom did good to our State. Anyway it is past story. Now, will the present Govt. show to sanction Projects such as improving the Road to Tirunelveli via. Shorlacode, connecting the Capital to Kollam Shencotta National Highway, completing the Ernakulam- Kayamkulam rail doubling works as a fast track Project? We all know the inordinate delay in commissioning the Thiruvananthapuram Ernakulam Railway Electrfication Projcet due to non availability of power and the Govt's. apathy towards the Project. Still the Perinadu and Chingavanam SubStations are NOT provided with power supply. Nobody is bothered. Had it been for the Kochi region, our broad minded Ministers, Mps and not to speak of MLAS wouls have rallied round the Project.
Another big FOLLY thr Railways have done is the construction of new Terminal at Kochuveli. It SHOULD have been built at Nemom where land is available for Railways. This wouls have helped the Railways to make a branch line to Vizhinjam. So also, TVC- CAPE should be doubled and electrified.
Anyway I congratulate Shri Biju for your sumptous article.
K.Somanathan, 16, Swathy, RajaLekshmiNagar,Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram 695004.
Tel:- 0471 2541396, 9446848195

Vizhinjam id hardly lacking the basic infrastructure needed to be developed immediately onwar footing. A statutory body consisting of efficient professional talents who will work above personal egos & POLITICAL attachment shall be constituted immediately. The Body shall work in tandem with all Govt. Departments. Modern methods shall be adopted for the working of this Body instead of filling with non enthusiastic personalities. All bottlenecks shall be removed for functioning of this body. Govt. shall review working of this Body at least once in a month. Adequate funds shall be made available for working of this body.All action shall be transparent.

Land Aquisition is the toughest task; hence adequate Revenue Staff shall be diverted to this body. Any person indulging in delaying tactises shall be punished. Sufficient land shall be aquired considering future needs. issues shall be settled avoiding littigations. People especially the poor who are badly affected must be adequately compensated and rehabilitated in a respectful way. All future constructions shall be done in a planned manner. Mushroom growth shall be strictly prohibited. But no delay on the part of the Body in clearing proposals shall be tolerated. This shall not meet the same fate of Development of Capital Roads.

Corrupt persons shall not be appointed in vital positions. Only highly competent dedicated persons shall be appointed as there is no point in making FARCE ENQUIRIES after having indulged in corrupt practises as being done by the Govt. A lot of money and time can be saved.



A new network of roads shall be developed as the present road system is almost saturated. These roads will connect the existing roads at stategic locations.

Therer shall be connections to tne Capital and KanyaKumari Corridor. Anew link must be made to connect Tirunelveli via. Kattakada.

Railway line-electrified shall be built to connect at Balaramapuram.

The electrical SubStation must be upgraded to 220kv.

New Water supply system shall be made exclusively for Vizhinjam. The KWA shall start work without anymore delay.

These are some proposals aimed at improving the infrastructure for Vizhinjam


The above message is by K.Somanathan
Swathy, RajaLekshmiNagar,Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram 695004.
Tel:- 0471 2541396, 9446848195


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Admin, forums.vizhinjamport.org
vizhinjamport@gmail.com
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Thank you Shri Somanathan for the appreciation. I do appreciate your postings on this project and hope they come to reality.

Iam still unaware whether Kerala Government has officially brought into notice the NHAI and Central Government Ministry on the issue of connectivity of Thiruvananthapuram to North South Corridor at Tirunelveli? If not, the government should not waste any more time and intimate them about the need and get this link road approved from the Ministry. If needed Prime minister's intervention may be solicited for this cause.

Since now the Kochuveli railway goods yard is going to be woundup and a new passenger terminal coming up there, the question of a railway goods terminal arises. A suitable location has to be found out whether Nemom, Balaramapuram or Vizhinjam itself where land is available.

There is also need of a truck terminal where trucks offload/onload containers. Present day truck terminals internationally have machines and buildings constructed so as to facilitate faster truck movements. A suitable site to locate an international quality truck terminal is also needed. There are many truck terminals coming up in India, the one currently being set up is Wadala truck terminal acoming up under MMRDA(Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority). Following is the excerpts from MMRDA web site.

" The Truck Terminal currently under development by the MMRDA at Wadala, Mumbai will have for the first time a centralized facility for the transport of goods by road. Designed for a peak capacity of 3,000 trucks at a time, the truck terminal will have offices and godowns of transport companies, easy loading and unloading facilities, large parking areas for idle trucks and other related facilities like banks, restaurants, dormitories for essential staff, dispensaries, motor spare part shops, petrol / HSD pumps, repair garages, workshops, etc.
In order to ensure proper regulation and management of this new Truck Terminal, legislation for setting up Truck Terminal Authority has been enacted by the State Government. The truck terminal is being developed progressively in four phases. The first phase on about 25 ha. of land has been provided with all the basic infrastructure facilities and the construction of four buildings accommodating godowns, shops and offices is completed. The construction work of Amenity Building which has provision for Police Station, MTNL, Fire Station, Post & Telegraph Office and staff quarters and dormitories, for their essential staff is also completed. The work of providing infrastructure facilities in Phase-II will be taken up shortly. Construction of link roads like Wadala-Anik Road and Sion-Koliwada Connector is completed. "


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Biju Velayudhan

Good information by Shri Somanathan and Shri Biju on infrastructure needs. Please continue.

Regarding truck terminal, it is a MUST and may be located outside city preferably closeby a National highway. If the proposed Thiruvananthapuram Kattakada Kottur Tirunelveli highway comes to reality, the truck terminal may be located near to this highway say at Puliyarakonam or Malayankizh.

Regarding goods terminal, I suggest Nemom as good location due to its proximity to Vizhinjam. Getting land at Vizhinjam may be difficult due to thickly populated areas in Vizhinjam areas.

I also suggest to upgrade Valiyathura harbour for small vessels due to its proximity to city.


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Manoj J.
Thiruvananthapuram

Thanks to everybody who spend some time in going thro' my humble views.But Iam deeply diappointed in the apathy shown by theGovt. towards this Project. The so called '2 weeks time spelt by the Hon.Minister has already over & the letter for central clearance yet to take off. It looks as if" PALAM KULUMGIYALUM KELAN KULUNGUKILLA". By all probability only a strong peoples' agitatation alone can awaken the Authority. Who will bell the cat?
K.SOMANATHAN

After a long gap I saw some news related to Vizhinjam port in New Indian Express. So the project is still on.........or may be VISL wants to prove that it is not dead.

Focus shifts to infrastructure
Thursday February 15 2007 09:09 IST
T’PURAM: With the State Government deciding to re-tender the proposed deepwater container transhipment hub, steps are on to develop the necessary infrastructure at Vizhinjam, where the port is to be set up.

The Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL), the company formed by the State Government to develop the infrastructure for the project, has submitted a Rs 3.9-crore proposal to the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) for ensuring water supply to the port.

The KWA is expected to complete the work in 18 months once the funds are handed over, sources said. As the project would put an additional load on the water supply to the coastal region, a new line will have to be laid.

According to the Container Shipment Economics Study for the Vizhinjam project, 100 cubic metre (cu.m.) of water a day will be needed during the construction of the port. It has been estimated that the short-term requirement will be 410 cu.m a day while the long-term requirement will be 1,000 cu.m. a day.

This will include the supply to ships, port staff and users, and that meant for pollution control, fire-fighting, environmental conservation and greenery.

As for the other major infrastructure works such as rail and road connectivity to the transhipment terminal, a master-plan will be prepared.

The VISL is also planning to rope in RITES for conducting a feasibility study for rail and road connectivity to the port. This has to be finalised by the State Government, sources said.

The State Government had decided to re-tender the project after the Centre denied it security clearance citing concerns owing to the presence of Chinese companies in the consortium that bagged it.

In a letter to Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan, the Shipping Ministry had asked the State Government to include a clause in the fresh global tenders that bids would be subject to security clearance