Although the Election Commission (EC) has given the nod to the State to go ahead with the Vizhinjam International Multi-Purpose Seaport project, the Letter of Award (LoA), the first communication from the government to Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. (APSEZ), the private multi-port operator selected to build the superstructure and operate the seaport, will be issued only after the June 27 Aruvikkara by-election.
The decision to begin the formalities to kick off the seaport project only in July was taken at the highest level of the government after getting the EC nod, official sources said on Sunday.
As the Cabinet that met on June 10 had cleared the project subject to the clearance of the EC in view of the code of conduct in force for the by-election, the head of the administrative department — Ports Principal Secretary — need only issue a government order.
Nalini Netto, Chief Electoral Officer and Additional Chief Secretary, Home, told The Hindu that she had received intimation from the EC that the State could go ahead with the project. But, the government would not be able to launch the Mission 676 project or hold public meetings in connection with the project till the election process was over.
It is learnt that instructions to this effect by the EC to the Chief Electoral Officer forced the government to wait till the Aruvikkara by-election process was completed on June 30.
As per the draft concession agreement, the LoA has to be issued within one month to the selected concessionaire.
