Vizhinjam International seaport set to transform Thiruvananthapuram following Mundra's blueprint

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The upcoming 'Vizhinjam International Seaport Thiruvananthapuram' is poised to reshape the capital district much like Mundra port did for Gujarat. Mundra, a once small village has burgeoned into a thriving municipality, generating 32,000 crores in annual tax revenue.

Adani, synonymous with port prowess has thrived on Mundra port's success expanding globally with ports in Israel, Colombo and Australia. Vizhinjam, with a depth of 24 meters, surpassing Mundra's 17 meters, promises even greater potential.

Mundra, the sole private port among India's 12 major ports, handles 33% of the country's sea cargo, amounting to 155 million metric tonnes annually. Adani's optimism for Vizhinjam stems from its deeper waters, accommodating even larger vessels.

Anticipation surrounds Vizhinjam's operational commencement in May, with expectations that it can rival global ports like Colombo and Jebel Ali. Adani envisions Vizhinjam compensating for India's current shortfall in attracting large ships.

In 25 years, Mundra contributed 2.25 lakh crore rupees to the exchequer. With its superior depth, Vizhinjam is projected to achieve a similar feat in less than a decade.

Key Contributions of Mundra Port:

- Annual tax revenue of 32,000 crores
- Employment for 25,000 at the port and 1.10 lakh in allied industries
- Infrastructure: Three four-lane state highways, six-lane national highways, two airports (including a commercial airport) and four-lane rail freight lines to Gandhidham
- Power: Two thermals generating 8620 MW
- 46 large industrial establishments including chemicals and textiles
- Educational and Skill Development Initiatives: International Schools and Skill Development Institutes