Port issue: Walkout in Kerala House

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The opposition United Democratic Front on Wednesday staged a walkout in the state assembly, alleging foul play over the awarding of the contract for the Vizhinjam international container transshipment project.

The development comes on the heels of the Hyderabad-based Lanco Infratech refuting allegations made against the company in connection with the port project.

The port project ran into rough weather after the initial awarding of the contract to Lanco, with a series of litigations in connection with the tendering of the project. The Supreme Court recently upheld a Kerala High Court order and directed the state government to consider the bid of Zoom Developers, which had also been among those participating in the original bidding.

The opposition called for an adjournment motion for discussion on the issue, but state minister for ports M Vijayakumar countered opposition charges, stating that the Kerala government had an open mind on the matter and that it would soon take a decision based on the Supreme Court order.

The minister said the state's interest was in realizing the port, which was tipped to be among the largest of its kind in the region.