Vizhinjam’s boom, Kerala’s gloom: Tamil Nadu to reap port’s rewards

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: While geopolitical tensions in the Gulf and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz have thrust Vizhinjam Port into the global spotlight as a strategic shipping alternative, Kerala is struggling to capitalise on this golden opportunity.

The state government’s ambitious “Vizhinjam–Kollam–Punalur Development Triangle,” designed to catalyse industrial growth across Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam, remains largely on paper. Despite an allocation of ₹1,000 crore from KIIFB following the project's announcement in late 2024, authorities have managed to identify only 100 acres of land to date.

Spanning 1,456 square kilometres, the project was envisioned as a world-class industrial corridor modelled after Singapore and Dubai. The plan included:

• Port-based industrial parks and multi-modal logistics hubs.
• A "Growth Triangle" infrastructure bounded by NH 66 (Vizhinjam-Kollam), the Kollam-Sengottai National Highway/Railway line, and the Punalur-Nedumangad-Vizhinjam road.
• The Thiruvananthapuram Outer Ring Road and the Vizhinjam-Navaikulam Growth Corridor to attract private investment.

However, nearly eighteen months later, the project is at a standstill. Critical connectivity links, such as the Balaramapuram railway tunnel—which has been in limbo for seven years—and the dedicated port access roads, remain incomplete.

The Tamil Nadu factor

While Kerala hesitates, neighbouring Tamil Nadu is moving with surgical precision to divert the economic benefits of the port across the border. By offering landowners lucrative deals—including up to ₹1 crore per acre for 99-year leases—Tamil Nadu has successfully secured the land needed for massive industrial expansion.

Key developments in Tamil Nadu include:

• Four Mega Industrial Parks: Work is fast-tracked in the Tirunelveli district. Over 2,260 acres are being acquired in Nanguneri for two dedicated parks located within a short transit distance from Vizhinjam.
• Strategic Expansion: A third park is underway in Moolankaraipatti, while the second phase of the Gangaikondan industrial hub is being accelerated.
• Logistics Dominance: Multimodal logistics parks and high-capacity warehouses are being erected in Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli.
• Infrastructure Ready: Tamil Nadu has already completed the upgrades to the national highways and the Nagercoil-Tirunelveli rail lines to ensure the seamless movement of Vizhinjam-bound cargo.

By the time Kerala completes its basic infrastructure, Tamil Nadu may have already established itself as the primary industrial and logistics backyard for the Vizhinjam International Seaport.