A short while ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Thiruvananthapuram, joined by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.

Interestingly, on stage Modi quipped that Tharoor’s presence would cause “sleepless nights” for many, a remark he noted reached its intended audience despite a translation glitch. He also hailed Vijayan as a key figure in the opposition INDIA bloc.

The Rs 8,800-crore deep-water port, developed by Adani Ports under a public-private partnership, is set to transform India’s maritime landscape. Modi highlighted its potential to triple transshipment capacity, reducing reliance on foreign ports where 75% of India’s transshipment currently occurs. “This will channel funds into domestic growth, boosting Vizhinjam and Kerala’s economy,” he said.

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Modi playfully remarked that Gujarat, home to Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani, might feel envious of Kerala’s new port. He also noted State Ports Minister V N Vasavan’s reference to Adani as a partner of the Communist government, signaling evolving national dynamics.

Emphasizing India’s maritime heritage, Modi recalled Kerala’s historic role in global trade. He credited the past decade’s focus on infrastructure and ease of doing business for unlocking port potential, doubling India’s port capacity and cutting turnaround time by 30%.

The port, certified for commercial operations in December 2024, is poised to drive industrial growth and position India among the top seafaring nations.

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