Thiruvananthapuram:
The proposed Vizhinjam port in Kerala's capital Thiruvananthapuram is aimed at tapping the lion's share of Indian transshipment cargo, now being largely handled by Colombo. It has been 25 years since the idea was conceived by the United Democratic Front (UDF) government. But it has run into another controversy after the UDF government chose Adani Ports and SEZ limited, the sole bidder for the project. Within a week, the government was forced to shelve the decision after protests by the Opposition.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has called for an all-party meeting in June to discuss the details.
"We are open and transparent and will discuss every detail. It's our duty and attempt to help all parties in the Opposition to understand the proceedings of this project better," Mr Chandy said.
The Left alleges corruption in bidding for the Rs 6,700 crore project and wants a fresh tender.
In 2006, the Achuthanandan government sought the Centre's clearance for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) by a Chinese company which the UPA government refused. In 2009, another bid was withdrawn after it was challenged in court. Now, the Left is questioning the government's motive.
"We need to know who is benefiting? Where is the money going? Who will be maintaining it and getting profits out of it? Why is everything invisible? What about the fishermen? The government needs to make things clear," Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, CPI (M) State Secretary told media persons.
The project is proposed to come up on 140 hectares, affecting 50,000 people. It got environmental clearance in 2013 with riders like - Development of additional fish landing centres, minimum disturbance to fishing activities, compensation and resettlement for those effected in fisheries sector, compensation to all authorised resort owners who will be affected. The compensation amount has been fixed at over Rs 90 cores. Congress is now accusing the Left of playing petty politics.
"This is one the most crucial projects in the entire nation's interest. And honestly Kerala's biggest bane is its petty politics. For some reason there are issues from the Left and others because Adani is seen as close to the Centre... but everything has been transparent in the process here. If Kerala does not allow now, this project will come up in neighbouring Tamil Nadu and it will be a huge loss for us," Congress MP Shashi Tharoor told NDTV.