Thiruvananthapuram, July 27 (KNN) The Kerala government will organise an international shipping conclave in Thiruvananthapuram in October to showcase the potential of Vizhinjam International Port to the global maritime industry, Ports Minister Ahammad Devarkovil said.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, after the monthly review meeting of Vizhinjam International Port construction, the Minister said that all works related to the port would be completed and the port would be operational on a commercial basis by May 2024.

Devarkovil informed that at the meeting, alternative ways to address the drop in rock availability due to restrictions introduced by the Tamil Nadu government for its transport were discussed, reported the Hindu.

“As many as 54 lakh tonnes of rock had been stockpiled and 49 lakh tonnes deposited as part of the port work. The government had taken necessary steps to meet the demand for the remaining 26 lakh tonnes. The rock availability crisis would be resolved by negotiating with the Tamil Nadu government and sourcing rock from the permitted quarries in the State,” he said.

He added that though the State was facing acute financial difficulties due to the wrong policies of the Centre, the government would find the necessary funds for the completion of the Vizhinjam project as it was the dream project of Kerala.

The Chief Minister had issued specific instructions to the concerned in this regard. The first ship carrying the crane required for the project would call at the port on September 24.  (KNN Bureau)