Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, today dedicated the first phase of state-of-the-art International Container Transhipment Terminal, ICTT, to the nation at Vallarpadam near Kochi. ICTT will enable exporters to access mainline container vessels calling at the port. Describing the achievement as a long awaited milestone in the development of the country's logistics infrastructure, the Prime minister said it is a symbol of how Public-Private partnership can contribute to public good. The 3200 crore rupees terminal is country's first International Terminal. He said the construction of the terminal is the centre piece of a comprehensive plan to develop Kochi as an economic and logistical hub of the region.Pointing the need to increase the use of fuel efficient, environment friendly and safe modes of transport such as inland waterways, he said this mode of transportation was very suitable for bulk, containerized and hazardous cargo.The Prime Minister said the Vallarpadam container terminal symbolizes the keen interest of United Arab Emirates in investing in India and in promoting stronger business and people to people ties between the two countries.The Prime Minister also inaugurated road and rail connectivity and allied infrastructure of the Vallarpadam project.The project area has been declared as Special Economic Zone.A link road has been built to connect Vallaarpadam with National highway 47 and 17. The Railways Vikas Nigam Ltd has completed the 8.5 km rail link that connects the terminal to the railway network. Later Prime Minister left for Thiruvananthapuram.Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will be presenting the coveted Jnanpith award to eminent Malayalam poet O N V Kurup at Thiruvananthapuram this afternoon. In the evening, Dr Singh will be inaugurating Kerala Development Congress organised by Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Development Studies.