Breakwater Can be Built in 30 Months: Adani Group

The 3.1 km-long breakwater - one of the toughest challenges of the 7,525 crore Vizhinjam seaport project- can be built in 30 months.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The 3.1 km-long breakwater - one of the toughest challenges of the `7,525 crore Vizhinjam seaport project- can be built in 30 months once work kicks off, according to the Adani Group.

“It will be the first work and it can be completed in 30 months. We also plan to start the land reclamation once work on the breakwater reaches a certain level,” Santosh K Mohapatra, CEO, Adani Vizhinjam Port Pvt Ltd, told ‘Express’.

The breakwater is also one of the three core infrastructure works connected with the port, the other two being land reclamation and development of the shipping channel.” If we can fix their schedules, the rest - jetty, equipment and other superstructure works- will not be much of a problem,” Mohapatra said. The breakwater is essential to ensure tranquillity in the harbour. The fact that it has to be constructed in the sea where the water is 20 metres deep makes it a first in the country. According to the concession agreement, the ‘L’ shaped structure should be able to withstand a 4.7-metre high wave and should have a 10-metre wide top road.

After signing the concession agreement with the government on August 17, Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani had said the first phase would be completed in less than 1,000 days, which is almost 33 months.

Mohapatra said he was confident of meeting the deadline. At the moment the company is engaged in identifying sources for construction material, within Kerala and outside. “We are looking at multiple sources, and we will be using different modes of transport to bring it, so that no area gets affected in a major way,’’ he said.

Stir Won’t Delay Project, Says Ports Minister

Ports Minister K Babu said the Vizhinjam project will not be delayed, referring to the protests launched by various groups. “Preliminary work is progressing post-haste so that work on the Vizhinjam port project can begin once the government announces the date of inauguration,” Babu said. “The agitation (led by the Thiruvananthapuram Latin Archdiocese) has no connection with the announcement of the date. The Chief Minister has assured them that their complaints will be looked into,” he said. Although the government is toying with the idea of inaugurating the project on December 5, the date has not yet been finalised. The government has taken steps to identify auditors and an independent engineer for monitoring the project, the Ports Minister said.

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