Governmental efforts

IN BRIEF :



1.Efforts should be made to make The Government of India recognize the National importance of the proposed Vizhinjam International Transshipment Container Terminal in the context of its geo-strategic location ,geo-physical superiority , and in present context of World trade /Maritime trade and Shipping scenario. A demand should be put to The Government of India to clarify its view regarding the need for a Deep water container Transshipment port for the country in the emerging scenario of Big ships (8000 TEU and more) and in the light of facts and figures which indicate that more than 70% of Indian cargo is being Transshipped in the Foreign ports since the Mother ships cannot anchor in any of the Indian Ports there by incurring a loss of nearly Rs.1000 crore per annum.

2. Though this is envisaged as a stand-alone Transshipment port at present , where revenue generation is expected from the Transshipment charges alone, the full benefits that accrue from a port to the state will not materialize if an industrial zone does not arise around it . The seed for such an industrial development can be achieved through the creation of a Special Economic zone .
3.Rail connectivity to the port as quickly as possible .Its also important for the project to have access to the Golden quadrilateral (the North-South corridor which will reach Kanyakumari ) which can be accomplished by completion of the NH-47 bypass and making the NH-47 a 6 line highway to facilitate the cargo movements .
4. As with any mega project envisaged in a densely populated region this has also made local people apprehensive of displacement. Though as per the present project report there will not be any immediate eviction ,a project with such a magnitude will have to get more land available for future expansion and incorporation of the auxiliary structures etc. The rail and road connectivity also means displacement of people .It should also be mentioned here that >90% of the people in coastal region belong to backward categories and are socially and economically the most disadvantaged strata in this country. Thousands of families are also not having any title deeds for the land they have been living for generations .The coastal regulation zone act has now even made many families difficult to obtain any title deed and hence any compensation should they be uprooted . Hence a comprehensive rehabilitation plan for the people who will be affected should be declared . The people of coastal area are totally depended on fishing for livelihood and the work on Vizhinjam harbour has been lying for several years pending completion. These are the people for whom the progress that the country has gained since independence has not created any real beneficial effects .

An economic assistance package for the project should be sought from the Government of India, for not less than Rs.1000 crores , recognizing that this is not an ordinary project but one which has even the potential to change destiny of the whole country .Such an assistance package will help materialize the Special economic zone , a township , the rail-road connectivity , the land acquisitions and rehabilitation , water ,power and telecommunication infrastructure for the region and also completion of the Vizhinjam Harbour project .