Particle.news

Download on the App Store

Kerala’s Vizhinjam Port Set for Inauguration as Political Disputes Persist

Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate India’s first deep-water transshipment port on May 2, while Kerala’s political factions clash over credit and governance issues.

Image
Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that VD Satheesan’s name was present in the list sent by the government to the PMO (HT photo)
Row in Kerala after Opposition leader not invited to Vizhinjam port inauguration

Overview

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi will formally inaugurate the ₹8,867-crore Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala on May 2, 2025.
  • The port, developed under a public-private partnership with Adani Ports, has already achieved 110% capacity utilization since commercial operations began in December 2024.
  • The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) are locked in a dispute over credit for the project, with the LDF citing its 1996 initiatives and the UDF highlighting progress made under Oommen Chandy’s leadership.
  • Controversy erupted over the delayed invitation to Opposition Leader V. D. Satheesan for the inauguration, which he claims was issued only after public criticism.
  • Critics have also questioned Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s family’s involvement in high-level port preparation meetings, raising concerns about governance and transparency.