Don’t let announcement of Vizhinjam project be a waste of words

After the discussion between Port Minister, Ahamed Devarkovil, and the representatives of Adani Group, both parties announced that if the protests against the Vizhinjam project are stopped, the construction will be completed before next Onam and the first ship welcomed.

There have been many announcements related to the anchoring of massive container ships at Vizhinjam. The first announcement came from former Chief Minister, VS Achuthanandan during the laying of the foundation stone for the construction of the port. He said that after a thousand days, ships will anchor at Vizhinjam port.

After his announcement, many years have passed. The construction of the port has not reached anywhere. Besides, the protest of the local residents has stalled the construction works from moving any further. Even though the government is trying everything to stop the protest against the construction activities at Vizhinjam, the Archdiocese is planning to continue the protests from Monday by blocking the roads.

Port Minister, Ahamed Devarkovil, said that once the Chief Minister arrives today from his foreign trip, he will intervene in the matter and develop a consensus.

The construction of Vizhinjam Port began after realizing the potential of a Container Transshipment Port with international standards, where very large container ships can anchor. The construction began after many decades of waiting. If Vizhinjam, blessed with all the geographical potential, was located in any foreign country, the port would already have become operational.

No one here seems to understand the potential of a big port and the opportunities and wealth it brings to the state. That is why protesters are stalling the construction works in the name of issues that could be solved easily.

The minister has made it clear that the government will not take a retaliatory stance against those who are protesting. Moreover, the government is against compensating the loss incurred by the company from the pockets of the protesters. This shows the government’s eagerness to stop the protests through diplomacy.

Those who are stubbornly insisting on continuing the protests must realize the situation. There is no evidence anywhere in the world of coastal erosion just because a port was constructed. There is also no scientific basis for the argument that the construction activities on a 3 km stretch of the sea resulted in the sea taking up land at Vizhinjam, Anchuthengu, and Chellanam. Still, the government appointed a four-member expert panel to study the issue. The protest committee is also setting up a people’s study commission.

The demand of the protesters to abandon the Vizhinjam project when it is halfway through is impractical and cannot be accepted. The government must try to put an end to the protest after meeting the other demands put forward by the protest committee. If everyone agrees upon a consensus then all the parties – the government, the protesters, and ultimately the people – will benefit from it.

For that to happen, every side must be ready for a compromise.