Question : INFRASTRUCTURE FOR CONTAINER TRAFFIC

(a) whether the State Government of Kerala has submitted any proposal to the Union Government regarding development of infrastructure for container traffic for the proposed Vallarpadam Container Terminal at Cochin, Kerala;

(b) if so, the details of the proposals regarding road development, construction of bridges and extension of railway line to the above port;

(c) the response of the Union Government thereto;

(d) the details of the stages of implementation of each proposal; and

(e) the time by which the projects are likely to be completed?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING, ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI T.R. BAALU)

(a) & (b): No, Sir. However, the Central Government is undertaking the Rail and Road Connectivity Projects to the International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) project site at Vallarpadam in Cochin Port.

(c): Does not arise.

(d): The Central Government has approved the Rail and Four (4) Lane National Highway Connectivity projects on 22nd March, 2007 and 12th April, 2007 respectively. The estimated cost of Rail and Four (4) Lane National Highway Connectivity projects is Rs. 245.67 crores and Rs. 557 crores respectively.

(e): The Rail and Road Connectivity Projects are likely to be completed within twenty four (24) months and thirty (30) months respectively from the date of commencement of work.