Will implement Vizhinjam project at any cost: Chandy

The all-party meeting held in the state capital, however, failed to arrive at a consensus on the project

Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy today said the state government would go ahead and implement the stalled Vizhinjam port infrastructure project.

Following an all-party meeting held at Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday, Chandy said the state government was committed to implementing the project, adding this was the last chance for Vizhinjam's development.

"We would implement the project at any cost and would ensure the interests of the state in the project. Our position is clear and transparent. We have only one intention - to make Vizhinjam port a reality. For that, the government would go ahead with the process," he told mediapersons.

Meanwhile, the all-party meeting failed to arrive at a consensus on the project as the Opposition parties rejected clarifications provided by the chief minister saying the state government had failed to give a clear reply to their apprehensions.

However, Chandy said any further delay in the implementation of the project would not be allowed and the government would take a final decision at the earliest.

He said his government had provided almost all the details as sought by the Opposition and the remaining would be given once they sign the contract agreement with Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited, the sole bidder of the project.

"Tamil Nadu was well ahead in setting up a port at Kulachal near Kanyakumari. If Kerala loses time due to some flimsy political issues, it would be disastrous. So, we will fasttrack the project and implement it any cost," he added.

Chandy said he had held talks on the project with Adani Group head Gautam Adani. "I was not alone. Minister for Fisheries and Ports K Babu, chief secretary, managing director of Vizhinjam International Sea port Limited and resident commissioner of Kerala were along with me in New Delhi. Ours is a confident building exercise in the light of corruption allegations by a section of Opposition leaders," he added.

He rejected the Opposition allegation that land had been offered to Adani for free, and said the project implementing company had been offered only the licence to use the land.