Vizhinjam Port Will Attract Investments Worth Rs 10,000 Crores: Divya S Iyer

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
With the completion of Phase II, III & IV of Vizhinjam Port by 2028, it will attract investments worth Rs 10,000 crores, Dr Divya S Iyer, Managing Director, Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL), said here today.

She was speaking at a panel discussion on “Economic Diversification through Port-Driven Industrial Clusters: The Vizhinjam Potential’ at the ongoing Huddle Global Fest 2024 organized by KSUM (Kerala Startup Mission) at Kovalam.

Pradeep Jayaraman, CEO of Adani Vizhinjam Port and Anil Raj, MD of Systrome Techonologies, also shared their insights at the panel discussion which was moderated by Dr Jayasankar Prasad C, Director of DCSMAT Institutions.

“Even after the delay caused by three natural disasters including Okhi cyclone, 2019 floods and the Covid pandemic, we have managed to keep up the momentum in the development of the port,” said Dr Divya.

“With the completion of Phase II, III and IV, we can anchor five mother ships simultaneously which will make Vizhinjam the largest port in the country,” she said.

“The Government is focused on the various development aspects of Vizhinjam including development of road and rail connectivity,” she added, while disclosing that the Government has signed an agreement with Adani Group on Thursday morning for the development of Phase 2 of Vizhinjam Port.

Stressing on the strategic importance of Vizhinjam Port for the country, Pradeep Jayaraman said that Vizhinjam is rightly positioned for global market access. “Vizhinjam is just 10 nautical miles away from the international sea route which makes it a critical sea port in South India. Since South India does not have ports that can handle large ships, Vizhinjam will solve this problem,” he added.

“High end pharma, food processing industries especially based on fisheries, beauty products industries, medical device industry, tourism etc can thrive with the completion of Vizhinjam Port,” said Pradeep on the scope of industries that can develop around Vizhinjam Port.

“We can overcome the lack of warehouse facilities and land using technology, Vizhinjam is already the largest semi-automated port in the country,” he added.

“Vizhinjam Port is rightly positioned for industries, especially electronic industries to connect with global markets including Europe, Africa, Middle East and also other parts of India,” according to Anil Raj, MD, Systrome Technologies.