Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially commissioned the Vizhinjam International Seaport on May 2, Friday, marking the formal launch of one of India’s most ambitious maritime infrastructure projects. Constructed at a cost of Rs 7,600 crore under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, the project is being executed by Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd., with funding from the Union, Kerala governments, and the developer.
Greeting the audience in Malayalam, Modi said the port would help promote economic sustainability for Kerala and its people. He added that the Union government would work alongside the Kerala government to transform the state into a hub for global maritime trade. “In the past, Keralites used to travel abroad through the Arabian Sea and engage in trade. The state has played a significant role in maritime commerce. The Union government has decided to strengthen this channel once again,” he said.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan began his address by paying homage to the victims of the recent Pahalgam terror attack. He also expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to the construction of the port, saying, “This is a proud moment for all of us, as the commissioning of this port marks the dawn of a modern era.”
The port is being developed under a Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) model, with Adani Ports holding a 40-year operational agreement.
Trial operations at the port began on July 13, 2024, and commercial operations commenced on December 3, 2024.
Apart from PM Modi and CM Pinarayi, several dignitaries including Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arleka, State Ports Minister VN Vasavan, Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani and Chief Executive Officer Karan Adani, Union Ministers Suresh Gopi and George Kurian, State Ministers GR Anil and Saji Cheriyan, Members of Parliament Shashi Tharoor, AA Rahim, Adoor Prakash, and John Brittas, and Thiruvananthapuram Mayor Arya Rajendran attended the event.
The Kerala government has allotted 500 acres of land for the project, with a Viability Gap Funding (VGF) agreement signed as recently as April 2025.
Originally proposed more than a decade ago, the Vizhinjam project has seen multiple delays and political hurdles. It was greenlit by the state cabinet on June 10, 2015, and a formal agreement was signed between the then Congress-led government and Adani Ports on August 17 the same year. Although the construction began during the tenure of then Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, much of the development took place under the current Left Democratic Front (LDF) government led by Pinarayi.
The inauguration, however, remains mired in political controversy. Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan of the Congress boycotted the event, accusing the LDF government of taking sole credit while ignoring the foundational role played by the United Democratic Front (UDF) administration.
At the port’s trial operations launch in July 2024, Pinarayi made no mention of Chandy or the Congress’ contributions, instead highlighting the LDF’s efforts. Ironically, when the Congress signed the deal with Adani Ports in 2015, the CPI(M) — then in Opposition — had vehemently opposed the project, calling it a Rs 6,000 crore scam that endangered the lives and livelihoods of coastal communities.
The port’s journey has also been marred by intense resistance from the local fishing community. Beginning on June 5, 2022, which was the World Environment Day, the agitation was spearheaded by the Thiruvananthapuram Archdiocese of the Latin Catholic Church. Protesters alleged that the deep-sea project was accelerating coastal erosion, destroying habitats, and threatening their livelihoods. Local fishermen demanded rehabilitation for displaced families, compensation for victims of fishing accidents, financial aid on weather-warning days, subsidised kerosene, dredging of the Muthalapozhi harbour, and urgent measures to prevent erosion.
By August 16, 2022, they had moved their sit-in protest to the gates of the port. The protest reached a boiling point in November 2022, turning violent after clashes between police and demonstrators.