People of Vizhinjam get these facilities from Adani along with port

VIZHINJAM: The ship carrying large cranes for the Vizhinjam International Port departed from the Shanghai port in China on the 31st. With this development, Vizhinjam's long-cherished dreams are finally coming true. Official information indicates that the ship will anchor at the port berth on the 28th.

The same vessel is also carrying two cranes bound for Adani's Mundra port in Gujarat. After delivering those cranes, it will proceed to Vizhinjam. The first ship will bring two ship-to-shore cranes and two yard cranes. Subsequently, six more ships will follow resulting in a total of seven large cranes and 25 small cranes arriving. This achievement fulfils the promise made by the government and Adani Ports to bring the ship closer as an Onam gift.

The construction of the port began on December 5, 2015. The first phase was initially targeted to be completed in 1,000 days but it faced delays due to local conflicts, a shortage of granite and adverse weather conditions.

Vizhinjam, once a commercial port in the early 1900s, saw plans for its construction in 1905 under the rule of the then King of Travancore, Moolam Thirunal Ramavarma. In 1945, Sir CP also devised a plan for the port's construction but neither of these materialized.

The construction has been divided into three phases. The first phase has seen the completion of the terminal and port office. The second phase scheduled for 2024-27 involves extending the length of the port berth by 700 meters. The third phase, set for 2034-37 includes harbour area development projects, breakwater construction and infrastructure development.

Numerous facilities have been completed and inaugurated including a container yard, workshops, a fire brigade office, water and power systems, roads and railways, a workers' colony, water conservancy projects and weighbridges for goods transportation. Additionally, the construction of large tanks for supplying fresh water to the port, an 11 KV power line and a 35 MW 220 KV power line has been completed and inaugurated.

To support the local community, educated youth and housewives from the project area were selected and provided with job skills training. Temporary drinking water tanks were installed in fishermen colonies for distributing fresh water. Thumburmoozhi model projects for waste management and toilets have also been established. Furthermore, construction work for a multi-storied building at the Vizhinjam Social Health Centre has commenced as part of the development efforts.