THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The ongoing protest against the Vizhinjam deep sea port project may hinder the improvement of the image of the state as an investment-friendly state and further investment in the state. The crisis faced by Adani Group, the second richest in the world, in Vizhinjam has already attracted international investors' attention.

The Vizhinjam protest comes at a time when the state government is working to resolve the crisis caused by labour disputes and inadequate infrastructure. The project, which started in 2015, was targeted to be completed in 1000 days. It was supposed to be completed in 2018. It is up to the state government to provide viable gap funds for the project, resolve rehabilitation issues, provide facilities including roads, and provide unhindered permission to bring stone and other materials for construction purposes. The Adani company alleges that the indifference shown by the state in implementing this led to the delay of the project and finally to the protest and construction crisis. Adani, which has invested 16 lakh crore rupees in various sectors like gas, logistics and electricity, is also operating 13 ports in India. If the project undertaken by such a large group in Kerala is stalled due to the protest, it will give Kerala a bad reputation globally.

Kerala had become a promising state for investors by completing big projects such as Goshree, Kochi Airport, International Stadium, Technopark, Vallarpadam Container Terminal. On the other hand, the delay in projects such as the Smart City project, the coastal and mountain highway projects, and the Palakkad Plachimada movement caused embarrassment for the state.

The Pinarayi government tried to recover the state's lost reputation by completing the GAIL Pipeline and the Edamon Kochi power line which took more than 10 years to complete.

However, the Silverline protests and the Kitex group's decision to leave Kerala turned out to be major setbacks. This was followed by the intensification of the Vizhinjam protest.