Categories
PM Modi Inaugurates Vizhinjam Port, Takes Dig at Congress Over Shashi Tharoor’s Presence
Kochi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the first phase of the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala — a milestone project with the potential to significantly boost India’s maritime trade. During the ceremony, PM Modi took a subtle dig at the Congress party over the presence of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, both key members of the opposition INDIA bloc.
“Today’s event will give sleepless nights to many,” PM Modi said, referring to the rare appearance of Vijayan and Tharoor together on the same dais. Turning to the Kerala CM, he added, “You are a strong pillar of the INDIA bloc, and Tharoor is also sitting here.” When the on-stage translator struggled to accurately interpret the remarks, the Prime Minister quipped, “The message has gone wherever it had to.”
While both Vijayan’s CPI(M) and Tharoor’s Congress are allied nationally under the INDIA coalition, they remain fierce political rivals in Kerala, contesting elections through competing state alliances — the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF), respectively.
MP Shashi Tharoor, who attended the event as the local representative from Thiruvananthapuram, later posted on social media that he had been involved with the Vizhinjam project since its inception. He has previously faced criticism within his party for publicly praising both the LDF government’s efforts in Kerala’s startup ecosystem and the Modi government’s foreign policy and counterterrorism positions.
Private Sector Partnership Highlighted
The Prime Minister also welcomed the cooperation between the Kerala government and the private sector, specifically the Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), which developed the port. Modi cited Kerala Ports Minister V.N. Vasavan’s reference to Adani as a “partner” as a sign of India’s evolving economic landscape.
“When a minister from a Communist-led government refers to a private company as a partner, it reflects the changing dynamics of a new India. Public-private partnerships are essential to our development journey,” Modi said.
Strategic Importance of Vizhinjam Port
Vizhinjam is India’s first semi-automated deepwater transshipment port, strategically located just 10 nautical miles from the international shipping route. With a natural depth of 18 meters—greater than most domestic ports and comparable to major international ports like Colombo, Singapore, and Salalah—it is expected to significantly reduce India’s dependence on foreign ports for container transshipment.
The ₹8,867 crore project is being executed with substantial financial backing from the Kerala government, which has covered two-thirds of the overall cost. This includes the construction of breakwaters—crucial infrastructure to ensure year-round port operations.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan hailed the inauguration as the realization of a long-standing state vision, stating, “This port will become one of the most important in the country and draw global attention.”
Operational Capabilities and Infrastructure
Vizhinjam Port features advanced infrastructure including fully automated yard cranes, remotely operated ship-to-shore cranes, and India’s first AI-powered Vessel Traffic Management System. Trial operations began in July 2023, and by December, the port had already seen over 272 large vessel dockings and processed more than 5.5 lakh containers.
The project’s scale and automation make it a cornerstone of India’s ambitions to emerge as a global shipping hub in the Indian Ocean region.
Also Read : In Response to Pahalgam Terror Incident, India Suspends All Trade with Pakistan
