Adani Group to release funds for Muthalapozhi dredging project

T'puram: Adani Group agreed to release funds for Muthalapozhi dredging. Ports minister Saji Cherian stated in the assembly that harbour engineering department (HED) provided an estimate of Rs 2.05 crore to Adani Vizhinjam Port Company for dredging the estuary of Muthalapozhi fishing harbour. Based on a decision made at a ministerial meeting on Dec 18, HED invited tenders, anticipating funds from Adani.
The contract was awarded to RTF Infrastructure. Although an invoice was sent to Adani on Feb 25 for the deposit amount required to start the work, Adani assured in a letter dated March 8 that the funds would be released soon, said the minister.
State minority panel on Tuesday, expressed dissatisfaction over non-availability of estimated amount in a suo moto case taken up following the accidents at Muthalapozhi. It directed Adani Ports authorities to take urgent action to provide the amount within two days and submit a report to the commission. Following the administrative approval of Rs 177 crore for development of Muthalapozhi fishing harbour, HED officials informed the panel that qualification assessment of the submitted tenders was completed and the work would start soon. TNN