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The finance minister’s announcement that Rs 500 crore would be earmarked for Azhikkal port is likely to revive the dreams of it becoming a major port.
Though there were campaigns and promises to revive the port that handled over 28,000 tonnes of cargo in the 1950s, and also a smalltime commercial service had started nearly two years ago, it was halted mainly owing to mismanagement.
Though efforts were made to revive it and crane and the reach stacker were installed to make easy the handling of intermodal cargo containers, the company that was assigned the coastal shipping service halted service after a few months.
However, this time the traffic from Azhikkal port is likely to be a reality if the government takes some proactive measures to take a ship on lease and start commercial operation, said Azhikkode MLA K M Shaji, who constantly campaigns for the project.
“The budget announcement gives a new ray of hope, because there are investors who are ready to invest here,” said the MLA.
“Moreover, the infrastructure is ready in Azhikkal with the crane and other facilities and if the dredging is done the port can be developed with the budget of Rs 500 crore.”
Since return cargo is the matter of concern for most of the shipping companies that are ready to operate from here, the government should first take a ship on lease and start operations so that others would also come forward and this would help get more cargo, he said.
“The development of Azhikkal as a major port was a long-cherished dream of the people of north Malabar, and this announcement in the budget would give a new sense of direction,” said C Jayachandran, patron of Kerala Textile Export Organisation.
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