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Launching a scathing attack on the Kerala government for not inviting him to the inauguration of the Vizhinjam Port, Leader of the Opposition, VD Satheesan, said that in 2015, his government had inaugurated the construction and now Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is trying to take credit.
Satheesan said, "The Vizhinjam Port is a reality, after six months, it will be commissioned. The opposition of Kerala is celebrating this day because it is our 'baby'. We have been trying to make this port since last 3 decades. We started this project in 1991 when K Karunakaran was the CM, unfortunately, we couldn't complete it. We inaugurated the construction in 2015. For the last 8 years, the present government didn't take any initiative to make any road or rail connectivity and now Pinarayi Vijayan's government is trying to take credit." "They didn't invite me to the inauguration programme though I am the state Assembly LoP," he added. Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan welcomed the first mothership, "San Fernando " at the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala on Friday. Welcoming the ship, the CM highlighted that India had now entered the global map through Vizhinjam port and called it a proud moment for India. "India enters into the global map through Vizhinjam. It is a huge port among world ports. The biggest ships in the world can berth in Vizhinjam. The operation is starting through a trial run. And will start completely functioning soon. This is becoming the mother port and it is a proud moment" said CM Vijayan. Vizhinjam seaport is very close to the famous Kovalam beach. It has water connectivity to many regional and international ports. This is the first transhipment port in the country. Till now India was dependent on Colombo, Dubai and Singapore ports for transhipment. Now Vizhinjam International Seaport will be the transhipment port of the country. The Vizhinjam International Seaport has been built by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd, (APSEZ). The port is built with a total investment of Rs 8,867 crore. The state government of Kerala has contributed about Rs 5,595 crore while the central government contributed Rs 818 crore for the port. Built on the public-private partnership, Vizhinjam International Port's construction started in 2016. The project was allotted to APSEZ on December 5, 2015, after the Government of Kerala and Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Ltd. (AVPPL) agreed to a concession agreement on August 17, 2015. (ANI)
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