No Question of Berthing Vizhinjam Project: Chandy.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy tailored his strategy of taking the development perspective followed by his government to a high by banking on the Vizhinjam Seaport project on Saturday giving a message to all that there will be no going back on the project as far as the government is concerned.

Making his points on the project at the Aruvikkara segment UDF election convention recently, Chandy’s stand to pitchfork a plan devised on his own for the election year came at a time when a few prominent Congress leaders have reportedly begun to air their reservations in private and keep a guarded distance from the initiative. In fact, many have got wind that there are moves from a few Congress leaders to shoot down the initiative, raising suspected corruption over accepting the Adani group despite being a lone bidder. Moreover, the CPM is dilly-dallying with not so serious objections on the project,

After listing out the Kochi Metro,Kannur Airport and T'puram-Kozhikode Light Metro projects in a single line during his speech,Chandy devoted much time on the Vizhinjam project. He reiterated that ‘none needn’t be under a notion that the government will be dissuaded from the project by raising the bogey of corruption.’

'The world has changed. After Idukki and Nedumbassery projects, the state has nothing of the kind to look upon. It cannot be like that anymore,' Chandy said. 'Corruption amounting to Rs. 6,500 crore has been levelled against me,when the total outlay of the project is only equivalent to it. There is no question of withdrawing from the project in the name of criticism,' he said.


THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS