A day after obtaining environmental clearance for the Vizhinjam International Seaport project, the State Government on Wednesday floated global tenders to construct the port and select a private partner to develop and operate it.
The phase I of the port will be operational by January 2018, State Ports Minister K Babu said. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Wednesday formally uploaded the Request for Qualification (RFQ) documents for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction contract and one for the PPP on the website of Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL).
The schedules have been chalked out in a manner that both contracts could be signed by May 2014. The EPC contract, estimated at `1,250 crore, will be signed by May 2014, and the construction will begin in June, Babu noted. The construction of the breakwater and associated berths, which come under the contract, will be completed by June 2016.
The sale of EPC bid documents will begin on February 4, 2014 and two pre-bid meetings will be held on March 10 and March 19. The bids are due on April 3 and they would be opened on the same day. The PPP bid floated on Wednesday signalled the fourth attempt by the government to get a private partner who will design, build, finance, operate and transfer the port.
The port operator will be decided by May 2014, so that the firm can begin work on the container berths by May 2015. The indicative project cost for the PPP contract is `4,000 crore. The sale of PPP bid documents will begin on February 5, 2014, and two pre-bid meetings will be held on March 12 and March 20.
Important Dates
EPC Contract:
■ Applications are due on January 22, 2014.
■ Announcement of shortlist - January 31.
■ Sale of bid documents - February 5.
■ Bid due date and opening of bid- April 4.
■ Signing of EPC contract- May 2014.
PPP Contract
■ Applications are due on- January 21, 2014.
■ Announcement of shortlist- Within 14 days.
■ Sale of bid documents- February 4.
■ Bid due date and opening of bid- April 3.
■ Signing of PPP contract - May 2014.