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.