THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The inauguration of the Vizhinjam International Port in Thiruvananthapuram on October 15, 2023, with the assistance of the Central government, marked a significant milestone in Kerala’s development for the year. The port signifies a new era of progress, offering numerous livelihood opportunities for the state.
Initially, the proposal for the Vizhinjam International Seaport, the country’s first deepwater transshipment port, faced opposition from both the UDF and LDF, concerned about local vote banks. However, in 2015, the Congress-led Kerala state government aligned with the Central government and officially launched the project. Yet, leaders from CPI(M), including VS Achuthanandan, criticized both governments for the project proposal in Vizhinjam.
Presently, the CPI(M)-led Pinarayi Vijayan government and the Congress, as the current Opposition party, are engaging in a war of words regarding the successful launch of the ambitious Vizhinjam International Seaport Project. BJP sees this conflict as a reflection of the project’s acceptance, initially proposed by the BJP-led central government.
Despite the UDF-LDF political tussle, on October 15, 2023, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan officially inaugurated the Vizhinjam International Port, welcoming the first ship, Zhen Hua 15, to the port. This launch has sparked the initiation of several industries in Thiruvananthapuram. The port is now frequented by ships for emergency repairs and maintenance.
Vizhinjam’s importance extends beyond sea routes, with the selection of land routes for cargo contributing to commercial revenues. The Kerala government aims to complete the construction of the Outer Ring Road (ORR) project in Balaramapuram, connecting Vizhinjam Harbour, the Coastal Highway, and Rail projects by 2024, with assistance from the Central government. However, some local political interventions are hindering the Balaramapuram ORR project.
Despite these political challenges, the realization of the Vizhinjam International Seaport project is a significant achievement for Kerala. It’s an all-weather port with operational efficiency unaffected by tidal variations. Each berth can handle 18,000 TEU, and the port can manage up to 10 lakh containers simultaneously. It’s designed to accommodate the world’s largest vessels.
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