KOCHI: The Union Ministry of Shipping has constituted an expert committee to look into the proposal for development of a major port-cum-ship repair centre at Azhikkal in Kannur district. The four-member committee is headed by Cochin Port Trust chairman Paul Antony.Cochin Shipyard Limited Chairman and Managing Director Commodore K Subramaniam, Ministry of Shipping Development Adviser B Poiyaamozhi and senior Hydraulic Surveyor of MPSO D S R Satya Prakash are the other members of the committee. The step taken by the ministry gains significance in the wake of the move by the state government to woo private investors for developing the minor ports across the state.The proposal will be presented at ‘Emerging Kerala: the Global Investors’ Meet’, to be held in April 2012. The proposal is part of the Coastal Shipping Project formulated by the state.The development of ports will help reduce transportation of cargo by road to a great extent. The ministry’s order states that the chairman of the committee may seek the support of a consultant, if necessary. It is further suggested that the committee should interact with the District Collector concerned for identifying the land required for the project.“The proposed port will come up on the land provided by the state government,” Antony said.The committee will look into all the logistical and technical details of the project, including locations of existing nearby ports along the western coast, cargo traffic profile, availability of adequate back-up area, rail and road connectivity and sensitivity of the proposed area from an environmental point of view.The ministry has further suggested that the committee should consider the matter of selecting the land for the proposed centre with all stakeholders.
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