Affidavit 'error' to delay Vizhinjam Port development; action likely against IAS officer

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Strong efforts were ongoing to rapidly complete all four phases of the Vizhinjam Port development by December 2028. However, IAS officer K. Gopalakrishnan's gaffe in court put all efforts to waste.

Gopalakrishnan, who heads the Coastal Zone Management Authority, filed an affidavit in the High Court not disclosing the environmental clearance granted for construction at the Pulinkudi beach—a site included in the development master plan. Consequently, the High Court ordered a halt to the construction and directed the Union Ministry of Environment to conduct an inspection.

The affidavit was submitted in connection with a petition filed by a resident, Benedict. The petition alleged that construction work was being carried out over a 20-kilometre stretch, encroaching upon the coastline starting from Pulinkudi. The affidavit states that the construction at Pulinkudi beach is not part of the Vizhinjam Master Plan and lacks clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. An order by Chief Justice Soumen Sen notes that, in the absence of such clearance, the construction could adversely affect the environment and coastal zones. A joint inspection report must be submitted when the case is taken up again on November 25. The project’s subsequent phases included extending the existing 3-kilometre breakwater to 4 kilometres and expanding the berth from 800 meters to 2,000 meters.

The government has directed that the error be corrected and a new affidavit be submitted. Disciplinary action may be taken against Gopalakrishnan, who was suspended for creating a WhatsApp group named 'Mallu Hindu Officers'—consisting exclusively of Hindu IAS officers.

• Following the suspension of construction, Adani took back the massive dredger brought to Vizhinjam. The commissioning of the port's subsequent phases will be delayed.

• Upon the completion of all phases, the port's capacity is expected to increase to 4.5 million (45 lakh) containers per year.