The financial bid to select the operator for the Vizhinjam International Container Transhipment Port will be opened on Monday.
The government had earlier approved the technical bids of the consortium of Welspun Infratech Ltd and Mudra Port and Special Economic Zone Ltd for building the superstructure and running the port on the landlord model. Since Mudra Port and Special Economic Zone Ltd. failed to get security clearance from the Union Home Ministry, the committee would open the financial bid of Welspun consortium only.
An official release said a detailed study report on the bid would be sought from the project advisor, International Finance Corporation. The bid would then be examined by the empowered committee headed by the Chief Secretary on the basis of the report.
The release said the government would take the final decision on choice of the operator for construction of the superstructure and operation of the port based on the committee's recommendations. The operator was expected to make an investment of about Rs. 970 crore out of the total revised outlay of Rs. 4,010 crore for the project. The government would build the basic infrastructure for the port, including rail and road connectivity and supply of water and power.
