CM promises all help for development of T'puram

The proposed international container transshipment terminal at Vizhinjam, when implemented, will have all to herald better times for the Kerala capital, which is on the road to development, said V Thulasidas, chairman and managing director of Air India.

According to him, the geographical location is a key factor for a city to get itself on the development path. Thiruvananthapuram, which has a seaport that can be developed into a world-class terminal, also has an international airport with laudable air connectivity, he said, pointing out how these features can help in the capital region's development.

Delivering the special address at the annual convention of Trivandrum Management Association (TRIMA- 2007) on the theme 'A New Vision for Capital Region Development', here, Thulasidas said the Thiruvananthapuram international airport would soon see itself playing a major role in the development of the city and neighbouring districts of Tamil Nadu.

Adding that the two important sectors of IT and tourism are potential industries which can help connectivity to Thiruvananthapuram grow, he said IT and tourism industries can generate more traffic and thereby attract more airlines to the state capital.

Citing the Kolkata example of development, he said that airline companies were vying with each other to operate services to the West Bengal capital unlike the days when airline firms hesitated to fly to that city.

The change has come due to the growth of IT and other sectors, he added. "The Kerala capital can take a leaf out of the Kolkata book."

Chief minister V S Achuthanandan who inaugurated the convention said his government would extend all assistance and support to the initiatives taken for the development of the capital.

TRIMA 2007 also saw various theme presentations and deliberations on subjects like 'Thiruvananthapuram as a Knowledge Hub, Booming Leisure and Connectivity'. C Jayan Babu, Thiruvananthapuram mayor and Samuel Paul, former director, IIM, Ahmedabad were among those who spoke.