The State government has withdrawn four tourism project proposals originally forming part of those considered under the Emerging Kerala initiative.
These projects have since been taken off the official Web site ahead of the three-day Emerging Kerala Global Connect event that kicks off in Kochi on September 12.
PROPOSALS SCREENED
This follows Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s directive to the Chief Secretary to screen the project proposals and strike off the ‘unviable and impractical’ ones.
The four tourism project proposals had given rise to fears over their environmental impact and triggered a controversy in the State.
These pertained to development of a forest lodge at Nelliampathy; an eco resort and golf course at Vagamon; eco resorts at Elaveezhapoonchira and at Dharmadam Island.
CHEEMENI PROJECT
The proposal for acquisition of land to the extent of 1,621 acres at Cheemeni in Kasaragode for a gas-based power project has been drastically altered.
As per the new assessment, only 200 acres would be acquired here.
A proposal for constructing a convention centre associated with the main Chandrasekharan Nair stadium in Thiruvananthapuram also has been removed from the list.
The stadium was proposed to be given on lease for a period of 15 years for the purpose.
EXCHANGE OF IDEAS
The Chief Minister had gone on record saying that Emerging Kerala event was not intended for signing memoranda of understanding with prospective investors.
Instead, it would be used as a platform for exchange of ideas, expression of interest with respect to which was sought to be converted to actual project proposals.
These would be screened at many levels before being accorded the go-ahead. Industries Minister P. K. Kunhalikkutty told Business Line on Thursday that the project proposals would be debated upon at various stakeholder levels before being approved.