Land should be acquired immediately for Vizhinjam development
Singapore is a country that has achieved rapid progress in the world through the growth of port-related business. The growth of Dubai, which has very little oil extraction, is also related to port development. Vizhinjam, which is becoming the main gateway for cargo traffic in the country, is expected to be a catalyst for a huge industrial and economic boom in Kerala. Keeping this in mind, the government is preparing to utilize the Vizhinjam port to enable industrial development and create employment opportunities. The government has approved the appointment of a consultancy to prepare a master plan for the development of Vizhinjam on the model of port cities developed in Dubai and Singapore. Rs. 1.83 crore has also been allocated for the initial cost.
The first mothership arrived in Vizhinjam in July 2024. The first 2000 containers to be unloaded in Vizhinjam came by the mothership San Fernando, owned by the world's second largest shipping company, Maersk. These were loaded onto feeder ships and taken to various ports. Many small and large ships have been arriving at Vizhinjam. The fact that the port has been able to handle one lakh containers in the last one year points to the huge industrial potential in the future. The road and rail infrastructure related to Vizhinjam is not yet complete. It is expected to be completed in the next three years.
A master plan is needed for export, import, storage facilities, etc. The first thing the government should do for this is to acquire land. Vizhinjam will transform from a transshipment port where containers are transported in small ships to a full-fledged port only if the master plan is implemented. Only then will industrial development and employment opportunities be created. At least five more acres of land are required to set up a logistics park and warehouses. The government should be ready to acquire this as soon as possible. The government can get many times the amount spent for this by leasing these lands to private investors.
The Kerala state government should not waste even a moment in this regard, as Tamil Nadu has already started acquiring land in large quantities for industrial parks, seeing the potential of Vizhinjam. Most of the landowners have already expressed their interest in giving their land if a good price is received. Although many are showing interest in large investments, including from abroad, the lack of land is an obstacle to development. If the master plan prepared by the consultancy is implemented as soon as possible after discussions, it will not take much time to clear Kerala's debt. Timely steps should be taken by the government to acquire land and develop infrastructure.