Vizhinjam seaport should have proper future plans

In an event Kerala has been waiting for decades, a massive cargo ship from Denmark will be arriving at Vizhinjam International Transshipment Port on July 11. The trial cargo handling will take place before the port's operations formally begin during Onam. The Danish ship anchored in the open sea on June 11 will be brought to the port wharf on June 12. Arrangements are being made by the government to organize a reception for it. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, members of the cabinet, officials and members of the public will come to Vizhinjam to receive the first mothership. Preparations are going on to make the reception colourful. The government and the people are looking forward to the great opportunities that will come with the opening of Vizhinjam port, which is enough to change the industrial face of the state, not just Thiruvananthapuram district.

All necessary arrangements are ready for the formal commencement of port operations. Permissions from various departments were also obtained. Huge cranes are also equipped for loading and unloading containers. The breakwater and berth for the ship are almost complete. Part of the roads to take cargo out of the port is yet to be completed. Similarly, the construction of the underground railway from the port to Balaramapuram has not started. Central permission has been obtained for the same.

Now, measures to take advantage of such a big port should be done. Not only the government but also the private sector should fully cooperate with this. Development possibilities are not limited to the port. A number of large and small enterprises have to spring up indirectly related to the port. There will be tens of thousands of jobs in them. The port is due for coastal development northwards from Vizhinjam and development of minor ports. Vizhinjam port will also provide opportunities for the growth of tourism sector. Realizing the potential of Vizhinjam as the natural port closest to international shipping, foreign shipping companies have already shown interest in bringing cargo here. Central and state governments can expect huge revenue from various tax and service items when the port starts functioning.

The first phase of Vizhinjam Port will be commissioned in September. Phases two and three have to be completed within a time frame. The port operators and the government should consider and take decisions about the action plans to maximize the utilization of the port for the next ten years. The proposed outer ring road should be completed soon and developed as an industrial corridor on both sides of the road. Many small scale industrial units can be started for port operations. There are many opportunities in the transport sector as well. Along with the growth of the port, the importance of the nearby Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is also increasing. The government should step in to remove obstacles for airport development. The cargo export from here will be many times the current volume. Necessary facilities need to be prepared for that.

There will be a need for many technical staff at various levels in connection with port operations. Although Kerala is a land of skilled workforce, there are no training institutes here. Department of Technology and University of Technology should come forward to start small and big institutes teaching marine courses. Efforts should be started now to take advantage of the huge employment opportunities that will arise with the functioning of a large port. Vizhinjam should give hope to the youth who are waiting for employment.