In a resolution, CPEO alleged that the
port management had not made efforts to explore the possibilities of extracting
revenue from key projects such as Petronet LNG regasification terminal, LPG
import terminal, multi-user liquid terminal and the International Container
Transhipment Terminal, Vallarpadam, with a total investment of approximately
₹10,000 crore.
All mega projects have been established on land leased by the port on a
long-term basis with nominal rent. It is
important that these projects yield the maximum revenue for the port authority.
Although the ICTT has completed 13 years of operations on Vallarpadam Island,
it does not fully utilise the infrastructure facilities provided by the port.
The accounts of Cochin Port reveal that the revenue shared by the terminal
operator is not adequate even to meet the expenditure for maintenance dredging,
CPEO said.
The Petronet LNG terminal Puthuvype was commissioned in 2013 and if the
mega project is fully operational, it can bring substantial revenue to the
port. Similarly, the multi-user liquid terminal established at Puthuvype by
Indian Oil Corporation is also not delivering expected results, the union said.
CD Nandakumar, general
secretary, CPEO said that the union has decided to form an action plan to
ensure the revival of port activities.
The plans to convert Willingdon Island into a tourism hub is only a
seasonal activity and would not create any potential job opportunities or
revenue to the port rather than some help to taxi/auto operators with the
arrival of cruise ships, he said.