February 20 2015 will perhaps be the most important date for the Vizhinjam seaport project as the government takes a big step forward in finalising a private partner for the multi-crore project.<\/p>\n
The financial bids submitted for the project, which play a crucial role in choosing the private partner, will be opened on Friday. Financial bids will be opened at a brief function at the office of VISL. The price bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders. Three of the five short-listed companies have purchased the \u2018Request For Proposal\u2019 (RFP) documents.<\/p>\n
The selected firm will be entrusted with the job of constructing the port and operating it for the concession period of 40 years.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The shortlisted five companies include Gammon Infrastructure Projects Ltd; a consortium of Hyundai and Concast Infratech Ltd; the ESSAR Ports; a consortium of Srei Infrastructure and OHL and, lastly, Adani Ports. Of them, three consortium- Essar Ports, Srei Infrastructure and OHL and Adani Ports, have purchased the RFP documents.<\/p>\n
After going through the Empowered Committee headed by the Chief Secretary, the financial bids will be submitted before the State Government for a final decision on the selection of private partner. The whole selection process is expected to be completed within two weeks. The selected firm will be entrusted with the job of constructing the port and operating it for the concession period of 40 years.<\/p>\n