Thiruvanathapuram, July 13 (IANS): Ending all speculation, the Kerala government on Monday said it had handed over to Adani Parts the letter awarding it the contract for building the proposed Vizhinjam port.

This port project has been in the drawing boards of successive government for the past quarter of a century and last month the Oomen Chandy government decided to award the project to Adani Ports and announced the letter would be given shortly. But when even after the model code of election for a by-election ended and the letter was not forthcoming, a section of the media took up the issue with some stories claiming the delay came as the Congress high command was not in favour of giving the project to Adani, known to be close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Chief Minister Chandy on Monday said that the letter of award has been handed over to Adani Ports.

"There were a few more last minute checks that was needed and hence the delay and on July 20, the officials of Adani Ports will come here," Chandy told reporters here.

The Rs.4,000-crore first phase of the port is to come up near the famed tourist destination Kovalam and is expected to be completed in three phases, with the first phase being ready by 2019.

Adani Ports was the lone bidder and had sought Rs.1,635 crore as grant for the project. The state government said the work for the project will begin on November 1, the day the state was formed wasy back in 1956.