Dear Modiji,
There are many projects in Kochi which need your immediate attention when the new government assumes office in the Centre. If implemented, these projects would prove beneficial not only for the state of Kerala but the entire nation. From media reports, I have learnt that the Cochin Port Trust is reeling under acute financial crisis. The port owes more that `1000 crore to the Union Government by way of interest alone.
The Port is also incurring a heavy loss due to maintenance dredging and the non-performance of the ICTT, Vallarapadam. Not much different is the fate of Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore (FACT), a PSU which cannot be saved unless the Centre clears a financial package worth `991.91 crore. The proposal has already been accepted by the Board for Reconstruction of Public Sector Enterprises (BRPSE).
As the FACT is a beneficiary of the Petronet LNG Terminal at Puthuvype, a revival of the sick PSU’s fortune would automatically help the private entity. Hence I beseech you to bring the Gujarat model development to the state by way of intervention at appropriate time. Equally important is the setting up of a cancer centre of international standards in the city. The `45 crore promised by the UPA government for the project was mere pittance. The project of such a stature cannot be realised unless `1500 crore is set apart. On your last visit you had assured us of every help. What we need now is immediate translation of your words into action.
Yours sincerely
Justice V R Krishna Iyer
Cochin Port | To Do
■ Financial restructuring of loans availed by port for various development activities. The port owes more than `1000 crore to Union Government by way of interest alone.
■ Relieving Cochin Port from the responsibility of maintenance dredging for ICTT Vallarapadam. `400 crore compensation for the loss incurred due to maintenance dredging.
■ A permanent solution for under performance of the International Container Transshipment Terminal, Vallarpadam. Despite various relaxations, including lifting of Cabotage, the terminal is yet to handle cargo, proportional to its capacity.
FACT | To Do
■ Immediate financial assistance of `991.91 crore for revival of FACT.
■ Creating a level playing field in LNG pricing. FACT is supplied LNG at very high price while industrial units in other states get it at reasonable rate.
■ Setting up of an urea and ammonia complex with 12 lakh tonne production capacity. Production of urea in South India is not enough to meet the supply.
■ FACT has lot of land assets which remain unutilised. It is pointed out joint ventures with other state or central PSUs would help the entity.
LNG | To Do
■ Announce a comprehensive policy on Natural Gas
■ Allot NG to power units and FACT at reasonable rates
■ Ask the states including Kerala to reduce VAT on LNG
■ EncouragING SSI units to use NG as fuel
Cancer Centre | To Do
■ Setting up of a state-of-the-art cancer centre with research facilities.
■ Financial assistance of `1500 crore for the project. The only promise from the centre so far was `45 crore to set up a tertiary cancer centre.
■ For the Centre to extend a helping hand, the state government should entrust the preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to a competent agency like HSCC ( India ) Ltd.
Kochi Metro | To Do
■ Metro Expansion: In the second phase the service needs to be extended to Nedumbassery, West Kochi and Kakkanad, which requires the nod from centre
■ Integrating Water Transport: The KMRL has mooted a proposal for utilising water transport as feeder service for the Metro
■ A proposal has been submitted to the Urban Development Ministry seeking modern boats
Rail Transport | To Do
■ Rail infrastructure in the city continues to be underutilised. Despite immense opportunities, resources like the Old Railway station, which occupies 50 acres of land in the heart of Kochi, has been neglected.
Despite protests and requests, no step has been taken so far.
Pressure has to be exerted on the Centre to allocate funds for Rail transport development.
■ The promise made in the budget to uplift Ernakulam Junction Railway Station to international standards eight years ago is still in papers with no funds allotted yet. The people’s representatives have failed to take up the issue with the Centre. The BJP Government should take steps to make the promise a reality.
■ An amount of `250 crore is needed for doubling works on Mullanthuruthy-Chengannur sector
■ To acquire land for the Sabari Rail from Angamaly to Perumbavoor, an amount of `100 crore is required
Water Transport/ To Do
■ Though Kochi has immense potential to develop the water transport, the sector is in a nascent stage. The boats managed by the Kerala State Water Transport Department are in dilapidated condition. There are allegations that the KSWTD has so far not tapped sufficient routes. As per the Kochi Corporation officials, there is a need to transfer powers from the state government to the Local Self Government Departments.