27-Jun-2013
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The ports and fisheries experts said that the proposed Vizhinjam international seaport will not adversely affect the eco fragile fish breeding grounds nor will it deplete the marine habitats off Vizhinjam coast.
A section of fishing community recently raised concerns over the possible impact on the 3,000-sq km fish breeding ground in the southern Kerala coastal area stretching up to Tuticoron coast -- known as the Wadge bank - due to the increasing marine traffic.
"Studies have shown that around 100 mega vessels pass over this Wadge bank every day and yet there is not visible impact on the breeding activity as this area has a draft of 40 meters and the ship movements do not create any problem for breeding," C Radha Krishnan, former additional director of fisheries department, said.
A comprehensive site analysis and prospects of Vizhinjam port -- based on the environment impact assessment report and master plan -- was released by Trivandrum development front (TDF) on Wednesday. The study pointed out that the port, when operational, will be a huge boost for state's economy.
"The economic study conducted by Deolite showed that there will be a cumulative cash flow of Rs 28,000 crore by 2050 and there will be a net product value of Rs 305 crore coming from primary income of fish export," Deepak Benny, senior maritime engineer, who was part of the TDF study, said.
He said the port is coming up at an ideal location and it will attract huge international marine traffic which moves from European nations all the way to Singapore and China.
"Partnership with major shipping firms will enable Vizhinjam port as a transshipment hub. Last year there was a cargo movement of around 8 million TEU. Currently these vessels do not stop in the Indian sub-continent though all these vessels sail a few nautical miles off Vizhinjam coast," he said.
The Vizhinjam port has a planned capacity to handle 3.5 TEU by 2044 and will have to compete with Colombo, Dubai, Salalah and Singapore ports.
"The proposed site chosen has the least impact and this analysis was based on 21 factors with high weightage on environmental, social and economic factors," N Appukuttan Pillai, retired ports engineer, a member of TDF, said.
He said the government needs to look at upgrading road network as there will be a huge container traffic and looking at the current state of the national highways it is going to be a huge issue
.
The port will have dedicated rail and road connectivity to transport goods and has included a modern fishing harbour with amenities like berthing facilities for fishing boats and hygienic auction hall.
The port is set to follow landlord port model. Dredging, reclamation and basic infrastructure such as construction of breakwater and quay will be done once the port gets an eco nod from ministry of environment and forest. Port operation will be on public private partnership model.
PORTFOLIO
The environment impact assessment report, master plan, detailed project report and shoreline assessment study have been submitted to the state pollution control broad for perusal
The public hearing for the port is set on June 29
The master plan has many environment-friendly parameters like using solar power for the port building complex and asking vessels anchored to plug into electric power provided by the port to reduce fuel and oil pollution along the coast
The port authorities will conduct annual environmental audit and self-regulate pollution levels
A modern fishing harbour and many projects for the fishing community are on the anvil
The port will ensure cash flow of Rs 28,000 crore by 2050
The port will follow landlord port model
Source:-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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