N K Premachandran, MP, said
persistent efforts during the 17th Lok Sabha were crucial in securing the
approval. The matter was raised multiple times in the Lok Sabha and in a home
consultative committee chaired by the Union home minister, who assured that
immigration check post clearance would be provided.
Premachandran said that the delay in obtaining approval was due to the
need to meet state govt requirements. The sanctioning of the immigration check post is a significant step
towards the development of the port, now recognized at the national level. The
development marks a long-term dream for Kollam, said Premachandran.
The port will now attract more foreign ships and benefit from its
proximity to the international shipping channel. The check post will also enable the starting of
travel ship services from Kollam. “I am happy that the hard work during the
17th Lok Sabha has yielded results in the early days of the 18th Lok Sabha,”
Premachandran added.
“In exercise of the powers
conferred by sub-clause (2) of clause 2 of the Foreigners Order 1948, the
central government hereby appoints Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
Trivandrum as the ‘Civil Authority’ for the purposes of the said Order for the
Immigration Check Post located at Kollam Seaport in the State of Kerala with effect from 18 June 2024,” said
the notification issued by the Union home ministry.