Second phase of Vizhinjam
The second phase of Vizhinjam International Port development has begun. When completed in 2028, the total investment of this phase will be Rs 9700 crore. Container exports and container movement by road will be fully implemented in this phase.
Large ships will also be able to refuel with the completion of the liquid terminal in the second phase. With the expansion of the road, the number of containers that can be stored will increase to one lakh. The number of cranes will increase to 100, the 800-meter berth will increase to two kilometres, the length of the embankment will increase to four kilometres, and the annual cargo handling capacity will increase from 10 lakh TEU to 50 lakh.
Vizhinjam will become the largest strait berth port in India in the second phase. This means that up to five motherships can dock at Vizhinjam at the same time and transfer cargo. Next-generation ships with a capacity of up to 28,000 TEU can also dock. The maximum number of job opportunities will be created in the second phase. This will be with the entry of new shipping companies and logistics companies. Anticipating such opportunities, training centres that offer courses for such jobs need to be started now. Since road and rail connectivity is being completed in the second phase, it is expected that there will be a big boost in the private sector in the construction of hotels and business complexes related to it.
With the addition of the cruise terminal in the second phase, large passenger ships will be able to call at Vizhinjam. This will give a big boost to Kerala's tourism sector. It is expected that the second phase will pave the way for further development of Kovalam and Varkala, which are marked as important places on the world travel map. Vizhinjam International Port becoming the biggest source of tax revenue to solve Kerala's economic crisis will change the face of Kerala and especially Thiruvananthapuram city.
The state government should give priority to the work of connecting the first phase approach road to the national highway. The will shown by the state government in achieving the progress of the Vizhinjam port with the cooperation of the central government is commendable. In this regard, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Ports Minister VN Vasavan, Adani Group officials, Vizhinjam International Sea Port MD Divya S. Iyer and everyone involved in the construction of the port. We are also proud of the fact that we have been advocating and standing strong for Vizhinjam as it progresses despite obstacles.