Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday assured Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan that the proposed Colachel port in Tamil Nadu will not affect Vizhinjam port coming up near the state capital.

Addressing reporters in Delhi, Kerala Ports Minister Kadanapally Ramachandran said the issue was raised with Prime Minister Modi at a meeting in the capital. 

"We expressed our concern and sought the Centre's support. But the Prime Minister said the Colachel port in Tamil Nadu will not affect our port in Kerala," Ramachandran said.

According to sources, the Prime Minister told the Kerala delegation that the two ports lying close to one another will boost competition, which is good for the country.

Early this month, the Centre cleared the Colachel port project, which was pending for the last 17 years. 

The Colachel port is just 25 km from Vizhinjam.

The Kerala government has been expressing concern over the Colachel port, fearing that it would adversely affect the Vizhinjam port. 

The Vizhinjam port is being built by the Adani Group and it is expected to get completed over the next year.