Kerala's ₹1.83 Crore Push to Supercharge Vizhinjam Port

The Kerala government has approved an administrative sanction of ₹1.83 crore for the preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) aimed at developing the Vizhinjam International Seaport into a major industrial and logistics hub.

A consultant—selected through tenders floated last year—will be appointed shortly and granted up to one year to complete the study, although early submission is encouraged. The DPR will focus on planning key infrastructure such as container yards, logistics clusters, marine access, and other allied facilities to facilitate port-led industrialisation.

Officials have emphasised the urgency of developing a robust support ecosystem, pointing out that Vizhinjam currently lacks essential infrastructure like freight handling zones, trucking terminals, and container storage, which are critical for starting gateway cargo operations.

A senior official noted, “We are receiving numerous investment inquiries for land near the port, but high land prices are proving to be a barrier.” To mitigate this, the Kerala Maritime Board has proposed the transfer of five acres near Harbour Road for container yards and warehouses under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.

In addition, the Vizhinjam International Seaport will allocate 200 acres for industrial infrastructure, including food processing and manufacturing clusters, to attract long-term investments and accelerate regional economic growth.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.