Ending 24 years of uncertainty, the Cabinet on Wednesday decided to accept the sole bid submitted by private multi-port operator Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. (APSEZ) to build the superstructure and operate the Vizhinjam International Multi-Purpose Seaport.
“We have given in-principle approval for the sole bid. The Chief Secretary has been asked to write to the Chief Electoral Officer seeking permission to go ahead with the project in view of the code of conduct that is in force for the June 27 by-election to the Aruvikkara Assembly constituency,” Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told the media.
If the Election Commission (EC) gave approval, other modalities such as signing the agreement with the concessionaire would be worked out. If the EC denied the nod, Mr. Chandy said the government would wait till the by-polls were over and take it up without much delay.
The Cabinet decision to accept the sole bid of Ahmedabad-based APSEZ is on the basis of the recommendation made by the board of Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd. (VISL), SPV set up to execute the project, and the five-member Empowered Committee headed by Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson.
The Cabinet that met on May 20 had deferred the decision and decided to hold an all-party meeting in view of the opposition by the LDF to the project being taken up on PPP mode, and allegations of corruption to the tune of Rs.6,000 crore over land acquisition.
