THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Dr Shashi Tharoor MP on Monday said that the Vizhinjam port became a reality because of the strong stands taken by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. He said that these stances were interventions beyond politics. Vizhinjam will play a crucial role in determining the direction of the future of Kerala. Tharoor was speaking after inaugurating the seminar 'When Vizhinjam Port becomes a reality' organised by Kerala Kaumudi at Mascot Hotel.

"At present, all the cargo to India reaches the mother ports in Singapore, Colombo and Dubai. Open and complete. This situation will change once the Vizhinjam port becomes operational. Development should be for the people. Fishermen are not victims of development, but partners. Don't label them as people against development. Rs 472 crore were kept aside for the fisher folks during the term of the Oommen Chandy government. The governments that came into power also have the responsibility to help the fisher folks. Unfortunately, some of the assurances were not fulfilled. Local people must be given more job opportunities in connection with the Vizhinjam port. The development of Vizhinjam should be reflected in that region itself. I believe that Adani Group will take special care to take the people of Kerala into confidence," Tharoor said.

Kerala Kaumudi Thiruvananthapuram Bureau Chief A C Reji presided over the seminar. Adani Vizhinjam Port Company CEO Rajesh Jha delivered the keynote address.

Kerala Kaumudi stood at forefront
Tharoor said that Kerala Kaumudi has been at the forefront of implementing the Vizhinjam port project since the beginning.

"Many people have brought this to my attention. As pointed out by Kerala Kaumudi, I also made interventions in the central and state governments for the project as an MP. Some people in Congress had opposed the Adani Group taking over the Vizhinjam project. However, I was of the view that a company with a lot of experience should be taking up the project," Tharoor said.