PM Modi inaugarates Kerala's Vizhinjam port: 'Significant advancement in India's maritime infrastructure'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala on Friday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated and dedicated Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport to the nation.  The PM said the port built at an estimated cost of Rs 8,900 crore,  was a significant advancement in India's maritime infrastructure.

Calling the Vizhinjam port project a "symbol of new-age development", PM Modi said, "On one hand, there is this big sea with so many opportunities and on the other hand, there is beauty of nature, in between there is this 'Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport', which is a symbol of new-age development".

According to PM Modi,  the capacity of Vizhinjam port will  be tripled in the coming years.  "Coastal states and port cities will be a major driver of Viksit Bharat. In 2014, India had 1.25 lakh seafarers. Now, we have more than 3 lakh seafarers in India," he said.

Talking about the importance of the project for the region, state and the country, PM added, "During G20 summit, we had made agreements with several big nations on India-Middle East-Europe Corridor. In this route, Kerala is in a very important position. Kerala is going to benefit in a big way from this. Private sector plays a key role in bringing maritime sector of our country to a new high."

PM Modi also wished everyone on the occasion of Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti and recalled how he had had the honour of visiting the seer's birthplace three years ago. He also talked about the presence of Adi Shankaracharya in the Kashi Vishwanath Temple premises — albeit in the form of a statue.

"Today is the birth anniversary of Lord Adi Shankaracharya. Three years ago in September, I had the opportunity to visit his birthplace. I am happy that a grand statue of Adi Shankaracharya has been installed in the Vishwanath Dham complex in my parliamentary constituency Kashi. I have got the opportunity to unveil the divine statue of Adi Shankaracharya in Kedarnath Dham in Uttarakhand. Today, the doors of the Kedarnath temple have opened in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand", PM said.

Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport: Background

The Vizhinjam port has been built by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) in partnership with the government under a public-private model. It is India's first deep-water container transhipment port. “Until now, 75% of India’s transhipment activities were conducted at foreign ports, resulting in significant revenue losses for the country. However, this is poised to change. The funds previously spent abroad will now be channelled into domestic development, creating new economic opportunities for the people of Vizhinjam and Kerala, ensuring that the nation’s wealth directly benefits its citizens," PM Modi said.