Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday formally opened the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Thiruvananthapuram, a major milestone for India's maritime infrastructure development.
Accompanied by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor—whose attendance Modi jokingly indicated would give "sleepless nights" to many political observers— Modi inaugurated the port.
In a wry shot that was noticed, Modi said from the stage, "Their coming here today will give sleepless nights to many," both Vijayan and Tharoor included. When the interpreter did not translate the quip correctly, Modi added, "The message has gone across to whom it was meant."
Speaking to the gathering, the Prime Minister highlighted India's increasing maritime power. "India is now one of the top three countries in the world in terms of the number of seafarers. Over the last decade, we have doubled the capacity of our ports, enhanced their efficiency, and cut turnaround time by 30%," he said.
The Vizhinjam port, built at a cost of ₹8,800 crore, will revolutionize India's transshipment potential. Modi underscored the fact that the new port is capable of accommodating ultra-large cargo vessels, a key strength in minimising India's dependence on foreign ports.
"Until recently, almost 75% of India's transshipment was happening abroad, resulting in significant revenue outflow. That's no longer the case," he added. "The funds that previously flowed abroad will now be spent on local development. This translates to new prospects for Vizhinjam, Kerala, and Indian youth."
Swiping at industrial allegiances, Modi teased Gujaratis might be shocked that Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani—himself Gujarati—developed such a large port facility in Kerala.
He also referred to the changing political and corporate dynamics of India, quoting Kerala Ports Minister V N Vasavan's acknowledgment of the Adani Group as a collaborator in the state's growth. "This reflects how much the country is changing," Modi stated, pointing out the irony of a Communist party government working together with a private group.
Looking back at India, rich in its maritime history, the country's pre-colonial economic supremacy was reminded to "India once commanded a large share of the global GDP. A big reason for that was our robust maritime trade and thriving port cities—Kerala being central to that prosperity."
He emphasized that it takes infrastructure improvements as well as an investor-friendly setting to achieve a port's maximum economic potential. "In the last ten years, our policy towards ports and waterways has been aimed exactly at this—spurring industrial development and overall growth," he said.
Before his inauguration, Modi reached the port by helicopter and inspected the location wearing a hard hat. Vizhinjam port, developed under the aegis of public-private partnership with Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), saw the issue of commercial commissioning certificate on Dec 4 last year after carrying out a smooth trial run.
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