Oppn sees conspiracy behind move to stall Vizhinjam project

Veteran Marxist and Opposition Leader in state Assembly V S Achuthanandan has alleged that the state government was in connivance with the Tourism Resort lobby to sabotage the Vizhinjam seaport project.
In a statement here, he claimed the present government had frozen steps initiated by the earlier LDF Government to check activities of Resort Lobby as it wanted to give concessions to it.
Referring to complaints by those opposing the project about laying of an approach road to the project-site allegedly in violation of environment norms, Achuthananandan said there was nothing wrong in constructing the road.
The government should have taken action against the illegal resorts and their construction activities, he said.

CPI(M) general secretary Pinarayi Vijayan also criticised the government for its 'soft approach' towards the 'resort mafia.'
He said the complaints of resort groups was coming at a time when the Ministry of Environment and Forests was considering the state's application for environmental clearance.