THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Ports Minister Shri V N Vasavan told the Kerala Assembly that the first phase construction of Vizhinjam International Transshipment Terminal will be completed by Dec this year. At present, 72% of the total works expected to be finished in the first phase has been completed, said the Minister.

The original schedule was to complete the first phase by Dec 2019. However, due to the shortage of rocks for the construction of breakwater delayed the work. It had become difficult to source the rocks and hence the first phase of the project could not be completed on time, said the Minister.

The Minister said 73.72% of the dredging and reclamation work has been completed so far.
Similarly, 68% of the breakwater construction, 87.75% of berth, 81% of the building construction, 52% of the construction of the container yard, 73% of the work for the installation of cranes and tugs and 51.8% of the construction of the roads inside the port have been completed.

The mother ships will start reaching the port after the completion of the first phase. At present four ships carrying containers have reached the port, and the installation of the cranes are being carried out at the port.

It is estimated that in the first phase, the port will be able to handle one lakh containers. This capacity will be increased corresponding to the completion of the projects in subsequent phases, the Minister said.

As part of developing the basic infrastructural facilities for the port, work for the road and rail connectivity are progressing at a rapid pace.

With the completion of these two along with the first phase completion of the port, we can ensure a smooth movement of containers to different places, he said.

The construction of the skill park is nearing completion. The skill park is intended to provide a work force for the port activities. The National Highway Authority of India has begun the tender process for the outer ring road connecting the industrial corridor planned between Vizhinjam and Navaikulam.