KANYAKUMARI: The detailed project report (DPR) for the International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) at the alternative site between Keelamanakudi and Kovalam in Kanyakumari district proposed to be ready by March 2018, however, could take more time to be completed if the stiff fishermen’s protest continue.
The International Container Transhipment terminal (ICTT), since it was proposed by the previous Congress-led UPA government at Colachel in Kanyakumari district, has faced strong protests from the local fishing community.
The successive BJP-led NDA government though changing the project site to Enayam from Coalchel, could not escape the wrath of the fishermen, who too gained the support of all the six MLAs representing Congress and the DMK in the district.
Unable to withstand the people’s protest, the site for the ICTT was again shifted to another site between Kelamankudi and Kovalam.
The local BJP MP, Pon. Radhakrishnan, the union minister of state for Shipping and finance said that the alternative site selected is more advantageous that the previously approved site at Enayam “as the newly identified stretch site near Keelamanakudi is well away from the tourist location and free of habitations.” He also pointed out to the study of Indian Port Rail corporation Limited (IPRCL) and said that the Kelamankudi site is much closer (just 3km) to the national highways and the rail route.-
However, the fishing community and environmentalists intensified their struggle, as according to SP. Udayakumar, one of the noted-anti nuke activists, who was involved himself in the struggle against ICTT in Kanyakumari, “We are not ready to give up our fight as we don’t want the project anywhere in the district.”
As locals continue to be in an agitating mood, the Spanish company, ‘Typsa’ entrusted to do the detailed project report (DPR) for the project at the newly identified site could not even carry out the bathymetric survey and geotechnical investigations. Hence, according to an official source at the V O C port that is the nodal agency for the construction of the container transshipment terminal project, the preparation of the DPR for the project could get delayed andmight not be completed by March 2018 as earlier planned.
