Latest news with #VISL
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Vizhinjam port: State govt to decide on cloverleaf interchange within a month
Thiruvananthapuram: The state govt is expected to take a final decision within a month on the proposed cloverleaf interchange at Vizhinjam port approach road and NH 66 intersection. The detailed project file was handed over to public works department (PWD), which will issue the required govt order soon. Once approval is granted, the Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL) will initiate proceedings to acquire nearly 30 acres for the project, with an estimated cost of Rs 360 crore. Earlier, a high-level meeting chaired by fisheries special secretary Abdul Nazar, who is in charge of ports, examined the proposal and concluded that the interchange was essential for the smooth movement of trucks and trailers, especially when gateway cargo operations begin at the port. As per the decision taken in the meeting, the four-loop cloverleaf will be executed jointly — National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will construct two loops and the remaining two will be built by Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Ltd (AVPPL), the private operator of the port. The land acquisition cost will be equally shared by state govt and NHAI. A senior official close to the port development stated that a portion of govt land earlier earmarked for a truck terminal would also be used for the cloverleaf project. "We plan to use the truck terminal land in a way that serves both the interchange and the logistics infrastructure. It will strengthen the overall port ecosystem," the official said. Meanwhile, a crucial meeting chaired by chief secretary is scheduled for Monday to discuss port-led industrialisation around Vizhinjam. The meeting will also deliberate on VISL's proposal to acquire land for developing supporting infrastructure such as warehouses, container freight stations and logistic parks. These facilities are expected to boost the operational efficiency of the seaport and support economic activity in the region. In another key development, VISL identified a site near railway line between Neyyattinkara and Parassala stations to establish a railway container terminal. However, discussions are still in the preliminary stage, and no final decision has been made. According to officials, a temporary 1.7km road connecting the port to NH 66 was already under construction to support initial cargo movement, expected to start later this year. Land acquisition for the temporary road was completed, and it is expected to function as an interim solution until the full interchange becomes operational. The port's gateway cargo phase is expected to be launched by the end of 2025, but delays in infrastructure approvals could push this timeline further. Industry experts have supported the cloverleaf design over earlier proposals like a trumpet interchange, citing better traffic handling and long-term utility. The port authorities and govt alike view the cloverleaf project as critical to ensuring seamless cargo flow and unlocking the full potential of the Vizhinjam port.
New Indian Express
19-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Tender for Vizhinjam port's rail ‘link' to southern states to be floated soon
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a strategic move to attract cargo traffic from southern states to Vizhinjam port, a vital railway link connecting it to the national rail network is on the verge of approval. Authorities are expected to green-light the tender process in the next 10 days, marking a significant milestone in the port's evolution into a cargo gateway. A committee formed by Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL) will review the draft tender document submitted by the Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd (KRCL). The tender is expected to be published in August, with the contract proposed to be awarded by November this year. This will initiate construction of the 10.7km-long railway line, including a 9.43km tunnel, which will be the third longest railway tunnel in India. The railway connectivity is expected to open up cargo movement from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. Although it is unlikely that Kerala itself will contribute significantly to container traffic, the state is poised to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the project. 'Road and rail connectivity are critical for a port's evolution from a transshipment hub to a gateway for cargo. Traffic from south Indian states will boost shipping activity and expand market opportunities. It's a major win for Kerala's economy,' a source close to the development said. Despite Vizhinjam port attracting major vessels and exceeding its initial container-handling estimates, most cargo is currently rerouted via feeder ships. The upcoming road and rail links are expected to shift this dynamic — enabling direct-cargo movement out of the port gates. 'A shirt manufacturer in Tiruppur exporting 1,000 shirts would likely prefer road transport over waiting for transshipment — due to the faster and more predictable delivery timelines,' the source added. Project challenges The Rs 1,482.92-crore rail project is slated for completion by December 2028. It will be executed under the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) model, with the selected contractor responsible for design.
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Compensation to families affected by Vizhinjam port work
T'puram: State govt has provided compensation for 15 families whose livelihoods were impacted by construction of Vizhinjam port. The govt-run Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL) in charge of developing the port and surrounding areas distributed total Rs 43 lakh to these families which included catamaran workers and fishing related load workers. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now VISL managing director Divya S Iyer distributed the compensation on Saturday. Compensation to the tune of Rs 114.73 crore was distributed so far to 2,940 families since the beginning of the project. The fisherfolk and those working in fishing related allied jobs were identified as impacted by the project. TNN
Time of India
28-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Konkan Rail Corporation Ltd set to float tender for Vizhinjam tunnel rail connectivity in July
Thiruvananthapuram: The long-awaited tunnel rail connection project between Balaramapuram railway station and Vizhinjam International Seaport is set to move ahead this July. The Konkan Rail Corporation Ltd (KRCL) is preparing to float a tender for detailed design and construction. According to sources within KRCL, tender issuance is expected once the draft document receives final clearance from Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL), the state-owned port authority overseeing the project. The project will be executed under an engineering, procurement & construction (EPC) model. Once the tender opens, it is expected to follow a three-month window to select the contractor. The winning bidder will then have another three months to complete the final design. Construction is scheduled to begin in Jan 2026, said an official familiar with the plan. Ahead of this, land acquisition efforts are progressing. At Balaramapuram end, VISL is set to take possession of acquired land by the end of July. Meanwhile, on Vizhinjam side land acquisition is pending, as the authorities need to conduct a crucial meeting involving local fishermen and church representatives, who have expressed concerns about the tunnel's construction. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Pelajari Undo An official close to the project said, "We will initiate talks with fishermen's representatives soon to address their concerns and ensure all community apprehensions are resolved before possession of land." At present, 19 families reside in the affected area at Vizhinjam. The compensation of Rs 190 crore delivered by VISL is being dispersed by the district administration to landowners. Further disbursements are underway following the formal takeover of the site. In Balaramapuram, the existing station will be relocated approximately 600m south to make way for a container yard and approach tracks linking to the tunnel. Meanwhile, the VISL is planning to set up a container rail terminal (CRT) near Neyyattinkara railway station. However, nothing has been finalised yet, and discussions are ongoing between the govt and Southern Railways. The railway tunnel is a key component of state govt's efforts to boost connectivity to the Vizhinjam deep-water port. Spanning 10.7km, of which 9.4km will run underground, the tunnel will enable direct freight rail access between the port and the railway network. This alignment has been chosen to minimise land acquisition, environmental disruption, and community displacement. The tunnel will be constructed using the new Austrian tunnelling method (NATM), with a depth ranging from 25 to 30m below ground level. Freight trains are expected to complete the passage through the tunnel in about 36 minutes, at speeds ranging from 15 to 30 km/h. The state cabinet granted administrative approval for the project in March 2025, with the revised estimated cost pegged at Rs 1,482.92 crore. Environmental clearance for the project was granted in July 2024. Once completed, the tunnel will be one of the longest railway tunnels in India and is expected to significantly improve cargo handling efficiency at Vizhinjam port. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2028.
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Gateway cargo at Vizhinjam port likely only by Dec 2025
Thiruvananthapuram: Gateway cargo operations at Vizhinjam International Seaport are now likely to begin only by Dec 2025 or January 2026, with temporary road access to NH-66 still under construction. According to Divya S Iyer, managing director of Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL), preparations are underway for a phased rollout of export-import (exim) cargo operations to coincide with the port's first full year of commercial activity. "We're planning to initiate exim cargo traffic around Dec this year," Iyer said. "The rollout will be gradual to match infrastructure readiness. Cargo movement will increase steadily rather than launch at full scale. " Since its commercial launch in July 2024, Vizhinjam port has operated primarily as a transshipment hub. The addition of exim cargo handling will mark a significant expansion, boosting both regional and international trade. The temporary 1.7-kilometre road linking the port to NH-66 is nearing completion and is expected to be ready by the time gateway services commence, easing container truck movement and reducing congestion. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo However, sources indicate the state govt is in no rush to begin gateway operations, despite ports minister VN Vasavan's earlier assurance that services would start by July 2025. "Progress on the temporary road is slowed by the monsoon. A retaining wall still needs to be built at a 150-metre stretch between a bridge and NH-66, and service roads on both sides must be widened," a source said. The port users' building, which will house customs officers, has been completed and a scanner has been installed near the gateway to inspect cargo trucks. One major pending decision involves the proposed cloverleaf interchange at the NH-66 junction. Though NHAI has given in-principle approval, final clearance is awaited due to a delay in the state govt's review. Port secretary A Kowsigan is currently on deputation training and a final decision is expected after a joint meeting between the ports department and PWD. Estimated at Rs 360 crore, the cloverleaf design requires 30 acres of land and could be jointly funded by the state govt and Adani Group, with the Centre potentially covering 50% of the cost. Until then, the temporary road will act as a stopgap, supporting the gradual ramp-up of cargo operations.
