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The docking of a cargo ship at the under-construction Vizhinjam International Seaport Project, the country’s first deepwater transshipment port, has triggered a war of words between Kerala’s ruling CPI(M) and Opposition Congress over the origins of the state’s ambitious infrastructure project.
Earlier this week, project cargo vessel Zhen Hua 15, called at Vizhinjam port, which is located near Thiruvananthapuram. The docking of the Hong Kong-flagged heavy load carrier, which was carrying ship-to-shore cranes to be erected at the port, is being seen as a demonstration that the port is geared up to receive motherships.
The Rs 7,600-crore multipurpose seaport project is being executed by Adani Ports and SEZ Private Limited on a design, build, finance, operate and transfer (DBFOT) model. The first phase of the project is expected to become operational in December 2024.
In 2015, when the state’s Congress government had inked the deal with the Adani Group, the CPI(M), which was then in Opposition, had objected to making a deal with the lone bidder. The party had at the time called it a land scam being perpetrated at the cost of the livelihood of fisherfolk.
In that context, the Congress targeted the ruling party ahead of a formal event scheduled to be held on Sunday to mark the maiden call of a ship at the port. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal are among the dignitaries expected to be present on the occasion.
Opposition Leader V D Satheesan of the Congress said the Vizhinjam port would be marked as a testament to the willpower of the late Oommen Chandy, former chief minister and Congress leader.
“We are happy that the project is getting ready. When the Chandy government in 2015 inked the deal with Adani for the project, Vijayan had then alleged that it was a land scam. Later, the Vijayan government ordered a judicial probe into it. But nothing emerged out of the probe. The Vijayan government had even torpedoed the rehabilitation package for the fishermen,” he said.
However, CPIM state secretary M V Govindan said on Saturday that the seaport was a success story of the LDF government. “The port will speed up the overall growth of the state. The CPIM and the LDF will conduct celebrations across Kerala at the local level on Sunday to mark the docking of the vessel,” he said. He maintained that the “Left has been of the stand that the port is essential for Kerala’s development”.
“The project started during the CPIM government led by E K Nayanar. During the previous UDF government, the Left had opposed corruption under the guise of the project. Those who are now trying to usurp credit for the port project had even threatened to launch an agitation at Vizhinjam. The party, as well as the LDF, have always taken a firm stand in favour of the seaport,” he said.
Taking to X, Vijayan posted Saturday: “The inaugural vessel, Zhen Hua 15, is set to dock at Vizhinjam International Port. Boasting container transshipment capabilities and proximity to major shipping routes, it’s a game-changer for Kerala’s infrastructure and development. Vizhinjam Port aims to handle one million containers annually, surpassing even Singapore. This remarkable project is poised to attract investments and create numerous job opportunities, further contributing to the nation’s pride.”
As per the initial agreement, the project was supposed to be operational by 2019. Port sources said the overall physical progress of the project as of now is 65.46 per cent.
