THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate the Vizhinjam International Seaport — a landmark project for Kerala — to the nation today. He arrived in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday evening around 7:45 PM for the inauguration. He was received by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Secretary, MP Shashi Tharoor, BJP state leaders, and others.

Modi, who is staying overnight at Raj Bhavan, is scheduled to reach Vizhinjam by helicopter at 10:30 AM today. He will welcome the cargo vessel MSC Celestino Maresca, inspect the port’s operational facilities, and later attend a public meeting. The commissioning ceremony will last about one and a half hours, concluding at 12:30 PM, after which the Prime Minister will depart.

Dignitaries attending include Governor Rajendra Arlekar, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Minister for Shipping and Ports Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Ministers Suresh Gopi and George Kurian, Kerala Ports Minister V. N. Vasavan, state ministers V. Sivankutty, G. R. Anil, Saji Cherian, former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Opposition Leader V. D. Satheesan, MPs Shashi Tharoor, Adoor Prakash, A. A. Rahim, MLAs like M. Vincent, Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani, Thiruvananthapuram Mayor Arya Rajendran, and Adani Ports Managing Director Karan Adani, among others.

In the backdrop of the Pahalgam attack, tight security measures have been arranged in the city. Traffic regulations are in effect on city roads and adjoining routes.

About 10,000 people are expected to attend the Vizhinjam commissioning ceremony. Police passes have been issued for them. Christian community leaders, and representatives from various social, community, and cultural organisations are also expected to participate in the event.

The construction of the Vizhinjam port began in December 2015. The first phase was completed in 2023, and trial runs began in July 2024. The commissioning certificate was received on December 3. Subsequent phases will be completed by 2028, and from 2034 onwards, the state government will begin receiving revenue from the project.