"Vizhinjam Seaport: Road Project Expedited for Faster Completion"

With Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL) and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) recently signing a Rs. 2,100 crore loan agreement to enhance road and rail connectivity for the Vizhinjam Port, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has accelerated its efforts to finalize the geographical drawings for the proposed cloverleaf intersection where the port's approach road meets NH 66.

The NHAI plans to submit these drawings, along with a proposal for a temporary road connection between the approach road and NH 66, to the Central government for approval within a week. Once approved, construction of the temporary connection will commence, ensuring smooth access for container trucks to the port. An official involved in the project explained that the NHAI has completed the drawings for the cloverleaf intersection and is awaiting final approval from the NHAI headquarters in New Delhi.

In addition to the drawings, the NHAI will propose a temporary road connectivity arrangement that involves modifying the median of NH 66 south of the approach road to facilitate truck turns onto the service roads. Signage will also be installed to regulate vehicle speed. The official expressed confidence that the approval process will be swift, allowing for the establishment of the temporary connection soon.

Last week, discussions between the state government, Adani Group, and NHAI focused on expediting the road connectivity work for the port, with the aim of completing interim arrangements by the end of the year. Although VISL has completed land acquisition for the approach road, construction has not yet begun. Ports Minister VN Vasavan has emphasized the importance of temporary measures to ensure the smooth flow of container trucks to and from the port.

The trial run for the port is currently underway, with commercial operations expected to begin in October. At present, only transshipment activities are taking place. The road connectivity must be ready when roadway container traffic starts. Recently, VISL successfully acquired most of the land required for the road connecting the under-construction Vizhinjam International Seaport to NH 66, securing 35.81 out of the 42 cents needed from landowners. VISL is in the process of transferring this land to the Adani Group, which oversees port operations, and has settled Rs 11 crore in compensation with the landowners.

The Vizhinjam project has been prioritized in the state budget, presented by Finance Minister K N Balagopal, with a strong emphasis on accelerating the development of road and rail links to the port. The NHAI had already approved the road design in accordance with Indian Road Congress standards on January 30 of this year.

ET