KOCHI: In an apparent reference to the lack of initiative on behalf of the state government in implementing defence projects here, Defence Minister A K Antony on Saturday said Kerala should reciprocate the support given by the Defence Ministry to the state.
“The Defence Ministry is always ready to extend any assistance to Kerala. The Navy, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, DRDO and Defence Production, all these agencies are ready to provide assistance to the state on a war-footing, whenever needed. In the same manner, the state should also reciprocate the Ministry if the need arises. Such assistance should be mutual. I’m not saying much, there is lot of meaning to what I said,” said the Defence Minister while inaugurating the Venduruthy-Vikrant Bridge, a joint venture by the state government and the Navy, in Kochi on Saturday.
Earlier, A K Antony dedicated the bridge to the nation in the presence of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and other ministers.
The Venduruthy-Vikrant bridge was constructed at a cost of Rs 37.5 crore, of which Rs 12.5 crore was contributed by the Indian Navy.
Chandy, who presided over the inaugural function, said the previous UDF Government, led by him, decided to construct the bridge without complying with the procedural formalities as it realised the importance of the project. “We held a meeting of various political parties and other stakeholders and decided to construct the bridge without going for tender formalities. However, this invited a Vigilance probe. But, everyone was clear about the intention behind the decision and hence there was no issue,” he said. The Chief Minister said that initially, it was decided to construct the bridge as a joint venture by the State Government, the Navy and the Port Trust. “Though the Port Trust was not able to provide the amount, we didn’t had any issues regarding that. The Navy handed over its share of Rs 12.5 crore without any delay, thanks to the intervention by A K Antony. It could be for the first time that a project was being completed within the estimated project cost,” he said.
