- People of Gujarat will be disappointed with Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani for building such a huge port in Kerala when he hails from the western Indian state: Modi
- This facility will bring economic stability to Kerala and India: PM
- The Adani Group is expected to invest another Rs 20,000 crore in the project’s upcoming phases, creating more than 5,000 jobs and boosting the local economy to unprecedented heights
NE BUSINESS BUREAU
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, MAY 2
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday officially commissioned the Vizhinjam International Seaport, here, which was completed at an estimated cost of Rs 8,867 crore. He said the facility will bring economic stability to Kerala and India.
The PM arrived at the port area by helicopter from Thiruvananthapuram city at 10.15 am and walked around the transshipment hub wearing a hard hat, taking stock of the facilities here.
Subsequently, at 11.33 am, he formally commissioned the first phase of the facility in the presence of Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani and Thiruvananthapuram Congress MP Shashi Tharoor. Located in Thiruvananthapuram district, the port is expected to transform India’s role in international trade and shipping.
He said that the people of Gujarat will be disappointed with Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani for building such a huge port in Kerala when he hails from the western Indian state.
He also said that state Ports Minister V N Vasavan’s reference to Adani Group, a corporate entity, as a partner of the Communist government shows the changes taking place in the nation.
The PM also referred to the era before slavery and said that India flourished with prosperity for thousands of years.
“At one point, it held a significant share of the global GDP. What set India apart from other nations during that time was its impressive maritime capabilities and the thriving economic activity in its port cities. Kerala, in particular, played a major role in this success,” he said.
Modi further said that the full potential of the port economy is realised when infrastructure development and ease of doing business are prioritised and promoted.
“Over the past decade, this approach has been the cornerstone of the government’s port and waterways policies.
“Significant strides have been made in advancing industrial activities and driving the holistic development of the state,” he said.
The deep-water port has been developed by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), India’s largest port developer and part of the Adani Group, under a public-private partnership. Following a successful trial run, the port received its commercial commissioning certificate on December 4 last year.
As India’s first automated port, Vizhinjam is setting new benchmarks in port management and operations. The Adani Group is expected to invest another Rs 20,000 crore in the project’s upcoming phases, creating more than 5,000 jobs and boosting the local economy to unprecedented heights.
