Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala on May 02, 2025.
By Shankar Raj*
Thiruvananthapuram: India created maritime history when Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially commissioned the Vizhinjam International Seaport today, marking the formal launch of one of India’s most ambitious maritime AI-assisted automated infrastructure projects.
Constructed at 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.
Vizhinjam was the dream project of former Congress chief minister Oommen Chandy, but it was called a disaster project by the Left parties, which opposed it tooth and nail. But today, the Left Front has claimed credit for a project which they had tried to torpedo.
From scam to pet baby
At the port’s trial operations launch in July 2024, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan made no mention of Chandy or the Congress party’s contributions, instead highlighting the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF)’s efforts.
Ironically, when the Congress signed the deal with Adani Ports in 2015, the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) — 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.
Also read: India’s new port powerhouse rises in Vizhinjam
Today, the ‘scam’ is the LDF’s pet baby. The port’s journey has also been marred by intense resistance from the local fishing community. Beginning on June 5, 2022, which was World Environment Day, the agitation was spearheaded by the Thiruvananthapuram Archdiocese of the Latin Catholic Church.
Today’s inauguration was also marked by political overtones when Modi said Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s presence at the event is bound to give sleepless nights for his bosses in Delhi.
The remarks come amid growing speculation about Tharoor’s position within the Congress party, particularly in Kerala, where he has increasingly emphasised his individual stature, setting himself apart from the state’s party leadership.
A surprise from Modi
Surprisingly, the PM referred to Pinarayi as the pillar of the opposition parties’ INDIA Bloc – an obvious message to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin. Though Pinarayi is nowhere near staking claims to lead the Bloc, the remark did leave many wondering, as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is fighting the CPM in Kerala.
The inauguration of the seaport was also 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.
Meanwhile, greeting the audience in Malayalam, Modi said the seaport would help promote economic sustainability for Kerala and its people. The Union government would work alongside the Kerala government to transform the state into a hub for global maritime trade, he added.
Proud moment
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi said, “This is a proud moment for all of us, as the commissioning of this port marks the dawn of a modern era.” He added, “This port will emerge as the most important in the country and will attract global attention. Adani Ports deserves congratulations — not just for building a port, but for opening India’s maritime gateway for the third millennium”. He also said, “Today, 75 per cent of transhipment containers are routed through other ports. From now on, they will come here”.
The seaport 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, and Union Ministers Suresh Gopi and George Kurian.
Records tumble
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. As of May 2025, the Vizhinjam International Seaport stands as a testament to India’s maritime ambitions: The port commenced trial operations in July 2024, receiving its first mothership, the San Fernando. In September 2024 and April 2025, it welcomed the MSC Claude Girarde and MSC Turkiye, listed among the world’s ultra-large container vessels and the largest vessels ever to visit an Indian Port. Since it started operation, the Port has handled more than 280 vessels and 6 Lakh TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units).
Sources said the port boasts a natural deep draft of 18m close to shore that requires no capital dredging. Vizhinjam can leverage its natural depth to host even ultra-large next-gen container ships requiring 20 m+ drafts. It features India’s tallest ship-to-shore cranes and is equipped with AI-powered vessel traffic management systems. Situated just 10 nautical miles from the international east–west shipping route, Vizhinjam is poised to become a pivotal transhipment hub, reducing India’s reliance on ports like Colombo, Singapore, and Dubai.
*The author is a senior journalist based in Kerala.
