Will streamline Vallarpadam terminal: CM

Thiruvananthapuram: All efforts will be made to streamline the much lauded International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadam, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said on Monday. The ICTT was opened in 2011.

"I assure the house that very soon, I will be calling a meeting of all concerned to see how best we can rev up the operations. I have already requested the Centre to sanction a dredging subsidy for three years," Chandy informed the state assembly.

Congress legislator Benny Behanan brought to the attention the present condition of the terminal and pointed out that the single biggest deterrent of the terminal was that every year Rs.110 crore was required for dredging.

"The path that is being dredged every year is used by multiple agencies which include the Cochin Port Trust, Indian Navy, Coast Guard and the refineries, but the entire cost is met by Vallarpadam terminal. If this is shared on a pro rata basis, it would be better," said Behanan.

Behanan also asked the state government to ensure that containers from Tamil Nadu and even parts of Karnataka be given incentives.