Vizhinjam Port to be inaugurated on May 2, Kerala eyes global trade hub status

26 Apr 2025 CW Team

Kerala is set to mark a major milestone on May 2 with the formal inauguration of the Vizhinjam International Port—an event that Ports Minister VN Vasavan called a "historic moment" set to elevate the state’s role in global maritime trade.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will officiate the launch, with a high-level reception committee formed to ensure a grand, public-focused ceremony. Minister Vasavan chaired a meeting to finalise plans for community engagement and parallel events to highlight the occasion’s significance.

The deep-sea port, whose construction wrapped up in December, has already demonstrated strong potential during its three-month trial run—handling over 500,000 containers from more than 265 vessel calls.

While the port is operationally ready, key infrastructure projects are still catching up. A 10.7 km rail link—9.2 km of which will run underground—has been greenlit by the Railways Ministry, with land acquisition to begin post-impact studies. On the road front, a 1.6 km temporary access road is nearing completion, and the state has reached a consensus with NHAI to fast-track connectivity issues.

The launch of the first phase will also set the stage for Phase 2 construction, Vasavan confirmed.

At a planning session for the inauguration, General Education and Labour Minister V Sivankutty called on local bodies and institutions to actively promote the event and ensure maximum participation. “This is not just a state-level project—it’s a national milestone with global impact,” he said.

Image source:deshabhimani

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