Union Minister of State for Communication, Information & Technology, and Shipping Milind Deora on Sunday said the Union government would consider favourably the State's demand for exemption for Vizhinjam International Deep-sea Container Trans-shipment Terminal from cabotage laws to make the project proposals a viable investment proposition.
Addressing a press conference soon after a visit to the project site and discussions with State government officials, Mr. Deora said the Centre would soon initiate discussions with the various stakeholders such as ship-owners’ associations, besides getting inputs from other connected ministries. Terming justifiable the State’s demand for cabotage exemption, Mr. Deora said there was no reason why the southern ports should not get a share of the shipping business. Vizhinjam, which had assumed importance from a national security angle, had some inherent advantages. In the long run, the exemption would have a strong impact on the sector, he said.
