Vizhinjam Port Project: Govt to convene all party meeting on Adani proposal

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the all-party meeting was convened in the wake of the allegations raised by the Opposition.

Stung by the Opposition charges of corruption, Congress government on Wednesday decided to convene an all-party meeting next month on taking a final decision on accepting the bid of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited for the construction and operation of the proposed Vizhinjam port.

Last week, the board of directors of the Vizhinjam Seaports International Limited had accepted the bid of Adani Group for the development of the port and the container transshipment terminal on PPP model. A final decision on accepting the bid was slated to be taken in the cabinet on Wednesday.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the all-party meeting was convened in the wake of the allegations raised by the Opposition. The government wants to implement the project in a transparent manner, he said.

A few days back, CPI(M) polit buro member Pinarayi Vijayan had alleged that the Congress Government was trying to hand over land worth Rs 6,000 crore to Adani Group.

Vijayan asked why the government was not going for re-tendering the project when Adani Group was the lone bidder. “It should be revealed to the public why Adani Group is preferred by Chandy and Prime Minister Narendra Modi alike,” said Vijayan.

The project had no takers despite several rounds of bidding coupled with promotional activities. First phase of the project would cost Rs 7,525 crore.

Source:: Indian Express