Draft:Poovar Trivandrum Shipyard

  • Comment: Not clear how this is notable as it doesn't even exist yet? Theroadislong (talk) 12:30, 3 October 2024 (UTC)

The Poovar Trivandrum Shipyard is a proposed facility for shipbuilding and repair in Poovar, a coastal village within the Thiruvananthapuram,Kerala, India.The project aims to utilize the proximity of Poovar to international shipping lanes and the Vizhinjam International Seaport Thiruvananthapuram to develop a shipbuilding and repair facility.[1].

Background

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The National Maritime Development Programme[2] outlines plans for establishing two international-size shipyards—one on the East Coast and another on the West Coast of India. In this context, maritime states were tasked with identifying potential sites for these facilities. Poovar was suggested due to its proximity to the Vizhinjam International Seaport and established shipping channels. The Kerala state government[3] has recognized Poovar as a potential location for a shipyard that may provide shipbuilding and repair services. Cochin Shipyard Limited[4] has evaluated Poovar as a feasible option for such a facility, which could serve both domestic and international needs

Proposal and Development

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In 2008, the Kerala government submitted a proposal to the Union Ministry of Shipping, identifying Poovar as a site for an international-size shipyard. T.R. Baalu, the Minister of Shipping at the time, acknowledged the proposal[5] and confirmed its receipt.

During a Lok Sabha session on February 27, 2008, Minister Baalu discussed the proposal, noting the availability of 2.5 kilometers of waterfront and 800-1,000 acres of land[6], which would be acquired through a combination of land acquisition and reclamation. The proposal stated Poovar's deep-water capacity, with a water depth of 13 meters available within 500 meters of the shore, and its connectivity via NH-47 and the Thiruvananthapuram-Kanyakumari broad-gauge railway line. Furthermore, materials needed for the shipyard’s development could be transported via the nearby Vizhinjam International Seaport Thiruvananthapuram.

Vijayakumar, the then Minister of Ports in Kerala, selected Poovar as a potential site during discussions in the Kerala Assembly. The Mumbai Port Trust was designated as the nodal agency[7] for the shipyard's establishment on India’s west coast, tasked with evaluating the location and appointed consultants. A tender for this purpose was issued by the Mumbai Port Trust in January 2008.In 2011, the Poovar Panchayat, under President Anto Marceline[8], passed a resolution supporting the shipyard project.

Shashi Tharoor, a Member of Parliament from Trivandrum, Kerala, has expressed support for selecting Poovar as the site for the new shipyard and major port proposed by the Ministry of Shipping on the west coast of India[9].

The Trivandrum Residents Apex Council (TRAC)[10] has called on the State Government to take action to develop Poovar in the district as a maritime hub. TRAC General Secretary K.T. Roy noted that international companies have shown interest in the project over the past two decades, citing the site's suitability for a shipyard and port.

The Kerala Ports Department is preparing to initiate a series of projects aimed at enhancing the coastal infrastructure to maximize the benefits of the Vizhinjam Deepwater Sea Port. Among these initiatives is the proposed development of a shipyard at Poovar, which aligns with the state's objectives to bolster its maritime capabilities and infrastructure. The establishment of the shipyard is expected to support both domestic and international shipping needs, complementing the operational capacity of the Vizhinjam port[11]

Investment and Employment

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Cochin Shipyard Limited[12], along with other stakeholders, identified Poovar as a potential site for shipbuilding and repair, proposing an investment of approximately Rs 1,000 crore. An Expression of Interest (EoI) has been submitted, and CSL is preparing a project proposal outlining the need for 150-200 acres of land and a waterfront area of 1.5 to 2 kilometers. The proposed investment is expected to create employment opportunities, with estimates of 1,000 direct and 5,000 indirect jobs

Current Status

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As of 2024, Union Minister of Shipping Sarbananda Sonowal[13] requested the Kerala government to identify a suitable location for the establishment of a new shipyard. In response, the state government proposed Poovar as a potential site for the project.

References

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  1. ^ "India's #1 Projects Tracking Platform".
  2. ^ https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/638281/1/71438.pdf
  3. ^ "Kerala Port department plans big projects to boost coastal infra".
  4. ^ "Poovar Shipyard Project in Cold Storage". 18 March 2016.
  5. ^ https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/560090/1/59532.pdf
  6. ^ https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/560090/1/59532.pdf
  7. ^ https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/560090/1/59532.pdf
  8. ^ "Panchayat passes resolution for ship building yard at Poovar". The Hindu. 22 October 2011.
  9. ^ https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/tharoor-pitches-for-shipyard-plus-port-hub-at-poovar
  10. ^ https://www.offshore-energy.biz/india-mumbai-port-trust-recommends-poovar-as-ideal-place-for-world-class-shipbuilding-yard/
  11. ^ https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2022/Apr/09/kerala-ports-department-plans-big-ticket-projects-to-improve-infrastructure-2440181.html
  12. ^ https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/csl-plans-to-set-up-ship-repair-complex-at-vizhinjam-109060900188_1.html
  13. ^ "Ship-building clusters to come up in five states: Union Minister Sonowal". The Economic Times.