Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport in Kerala, hailing it as a “symbol of new-age development” and a “big achievement in India’s maritime security.” The ambitious ₹8,800-crore project, India’s first dedicated deep-water container transshipment port, is expected to transform the nation’s maritime landscape.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony in Thiruvananthapuram, held in the presence of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, Prime Minister Modi said, “This port will open new opportunities for the people. It marks a significant achievement in India’s maritime capacity.”
He highlighted that the port’s capacity as a transshipment hub is expected to triple in the near future, enabling it to handle large cargo vessels — a long-standing requirement in India’s logistics sector.
“Until now, nearly 75 per cent of India’s transshipment was handled at foreign ports, leading to considerable revenue loss. But this is set to change,” said PM Modi.
He added that the expenditure which once benefited foreign economies would now fuel domestic growth, creating new economic avenues in Kerala and other coastal states.
PM Modi also reflected on India’s rich maritime history, especially during the pre-Independence era when India commanded a major share in global GDP.
“What set us apart from other nations was our maritime strength and thriving port cities. Kerala played a significant role in that legacy,” he noted.
Calling for a synergised approach to infrastructure development and business facilitation, the Prime Minister said:
“The full potential of the port economy is realised only when infrastructure development and ‘Ease of Doing Business’ are promoted in sync. Over the past decade, this has been the cornerstone of our ports and waterways policy.”
He said the Centre has made consistent efforts to develop industrial activities around major ports, which in turn contribute to the holistic development of the regions.
CM Pinarayi Vijayan, in his address, thanked the Prime Minister for dedicating the port to the nation.
“On behalf of the people of Kerala, I extend sincere gratitude to the Prime Minister. This is a landmark moment, and I congratulate the Adani Group for executing the project with excellence,” he said.
During the event, PM Modi also acknowledged the occasion of Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti. He recalled visiting the spiritual leader’s birthplace and said,
“I had the honour of unveiling the divine statue of Adi Shankaracharya at Kedarnath Dham. Today, as the doors of the Kedarnath temple reopen, we remember his timeless contributions.”
The Vizhinjam Seaport, developed under a public-private partnership model, has been spearheaded by the Kerala government with Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) as the private partner. Construction began on December 5, 2015, under the concessionaire Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Limited, and the project follows the landlord model of port development.
Strategically situated just 10 nautical miles from key international shipping routes linking Europe, the Persian Gulf and the Far East, Vizhinjam port is positioned to enhance India’s role in global trade. Its proximity to the East-West maritime corridor is expected to drastically reduce the country’s reliance on foreign ports for cargo transshipment, improving logistics efficiency.
— ANI
