THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Oommen Chandy, who played a crucial role in making the project a reality, will not be there to see the arrival of the first ship from China at the Vizhinjam port on Onam. The history behind the Vizhinjam port was that a new stone was placed on top of each foundation stone until 2015. Oommen Chandy determination is behind the realization of the project has not progressed an inch beyond the negotiation of tenders, bids and contracts at various levels. Oommen Chandy went ahead with the project, amid debates and controversies and overcoming the opposition including within the party. In addition to obtaining the environmental permit, Oommen Chandy played a major role in laying the foundation for the project with the best officials including Suresh Babu. The state signed the agreement for a seaport at Vizhinjam in 2015.

Oommen Chandy's dead body was kept for public viewing at the Durbar Hall of the Secretariat where the agreement was signed. Most of the protesters were those who opposed Gautam Adani. From Congress President Sonia Gandhi to local Congress leaders were among them. Oommen Chandy also convinced the high command that the development of the state should not be stopped due to opposition to Adani and Kerala's interest should be prioritized.

In the agreement, it was said that the project would be implemented within a thousand days. Oommen Chandy shared his concern with the business community of Thiruvananthapuram when the construction of the port was prolonged and later when Latin Church protested against the project.

Shashi Tharoor MP said that without Oommen Chandy, development like Vizhinjam port would not have been possible in Kerala. Tharoor recalled that when the port becomes a reality, people will remember Oommen Chandy's name.