Question : CONSTRUCTION OF INTERNATIONAL CONTAINER TERMINAL

(a) whether the Government proposes to construct an International Container Terminal at Vizhinjam in Kerala;

(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the amount involved, mode of construction, private participation and the time fixed for completion of the project;

(c) the stage of construction of the other International Super Container Terminal planned at Vallarpadom;

(d) whether the Government proposes to increase the container transshipment in the country; and

(e) if so, the details thereof including the centres where container transshipments are available?

MINISTER OF SHIPPING, ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI T.R. BAALU)

(a) & (b) Ports other than major ports are under the overall jurisdiction of the respective State Governments. Since Vizhinjam is not a major port, responsibility for construction of an International Container Terminal at the port is that of the Government of Kerala. Based on bids invited, Government of Kerala has sought security clearance of the bidders for development of a Deep Water International Container Transhipment Terminal at Vizhinjam.

(c) In terms of the License Agreement signed by Cochin Port Trust (Licensor) with M/s. India Gateway Private Limited (Licensee), a subsidiary of Dubai Ports International (DPI), Dubai, UAE on 31.1.2005, the Licensee has commenced commercial operations at the existing Rajiv Gandhi Container Terminal (RGCT) as per schedule on 1.4.2005. Commencement of construction works at the International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) site by the Licensee is contingent on fulfillment by the Licensor of ‘Conditions Precedent’ enumerated in the License Agreement, namely, obtaining of requisite environmental clearance in respect of construction works for Phase I of ICTT, declaration of the project site at Vallarpadam/Puthuvypeen as part of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and commencement of construction of Rail connectivity and National Highway connectivity by the appropriate authority. In the light of the time-frames specified for various activities in the License Agreement, construction works at the ICTT site is scheduled to commence by 31.3.2007.

(d) & (e) Amongst the major ports which are under the Central Government, container handling facilities are available in Kolkata, Visakhapatnam, Chennai, Tuticorin, Cochin, Jawaharlal Nehru and Mumbai Ports. However, a substantial portion of container cargo which either originates from or is bound for Indian ports is currently transhipped at ports outside India. It is the Government’s endeavour to minimize transhipment of such cargo in ports outside India, while concurrently tapping potential of the Indian ports for handling transhipment of International container cargo through development of necessary infrastructure. .