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3h ago

Vizhinjam Seaport Dedication Sparks Political Tensions in Kerala

Prime Minister Modi to formally inaugurate India's first deep-water transhipment port as Kerala's ruling and opposition parties clash over credit and governance concerns.

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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 inaugurate the Vizhinjam International Seaport on May 2, 2025, marking a significant milestone for India's maritime sector.
  • The port's commissioning has become a flashpoint in Kerala politics, with the opposition UDF accusing the ruling LDF of excluding Opposition Leader V. D. Satheesan from initial guest lists to sideline their contributions.
  • Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan defends the LDF's role, highlighting the renegotiation of the port's contract to favor Kerala's fiscal interests and accelerate project timelines.
  • Controversy has also arisen over the participation of Vijayan's family members in high-level port meetings, drawing criticism from the opposition over governance transparency.
  • The ₹8,867-crore project, developed in partnership with Adani Ports, is expected to reduce India's reliance on foreign ports and cut annual logistics costs by $220 million.