Coastal shipping project by kerala state government proposed

Coastal shipping project by kerala state government proposed to promote a coastal shipping project aimed at shifting 20 per cent of the kerala's cargo movement through road to waterways by connecting the Vizhinjam, Kollam, Beypore and Azheekal ports.

The Chief Minister traced the various Coastal shipping project and port developments programmes undertaken by his government, including the Rs.300-crore Ponnani port project that had been tendered, Rs.4,500-crore Azheekal's port, which would be tendered soon after the approval, and the Beypore port which had signed a project with the involvement of the Lakshadweep administration for development.

Kerala's Chief Minister said the proposed maritime board would go a long way in coordinating the port development projects which results in Coastal shipping project Development.

Terming the Vizhinjam port project as prestigious and high priority among the Coastal shipping project, Mr. Pillai said the three phases would require an investment of Rs.6,000 crore. The port would be developed as a landlord port with the kerala government constructing the port infrastructure at a cost of Rs.1,637 crore. The government would invite global bids for an investment of Rs.1,000 crore for the first phase.