Three side credit war :::: BJP says Vizhinjam port is "Modi's vision" ::: CPI-M says they made it a reality and Congress wants it named after ex-CM Chandy

 What's in a port?

Credit fight -- three ways !!  

Vizhinjam is India's first dedicated transshipment port and also the country's first semi-automated port.

Moditva Vision .... and other credit seekers - Congress and CPI-M 

CPI(M) CLAIMS ITS 9-YEAR RULE TURNED PORT INTO REALITY

The ruling CPI(M), led by CM Vijayan, has positioned itself as the architect of the Vizhinjam project. It has attributed its success to the party’s nine-year governance in the southern state.

Vijayan, who was present at the inauguration alongside PM Modi and Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani, said, "Kerala is bearing the majority of the cost, Rs 5,370.86 crore out of the total Rs 8,686 crore", subtly downplaying the Centre's role.  

BJP SAYS VIZHINJAM PORT PART OF PM MODI'S VISION

The BJP, led in Kerala by state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, has framed the Vizhinjam port as a cornerstone of Prime Minister Modi’s vision for India’s maritime and economic growth.

"The Vizhinjam port is part of PM Modi's vision of having a large number of ports around India that will improve India's global trade competitiveness and make India an increasing hub for manufacturing. 

Vizhinjam is one of those ports and the government of India has been steadfast in supporting the development of that port despite many delays over the last several years," Chandrasekhar said.  

CONGRESS WANTS VIZHINJAM PORT NAMED AFTER OOMMEN CHANDY

The Congress, leading the United Democratic Front (UDF) opposition, vehemently contested the CPI(M)'s claims of credit. The Congress, which is eyeing to dislodge the Vijayan-led Left Democratic Front (LDF), asserted that the project's foundation was laid by the Oommen Chandy-led government in 2015, adding the port be named after the former Congress leader.

Chandy, who passed away in 2023, signed the initial agreement with the Adani Group in August 2015. His government had then faced massive criticism from the opposition over the pact.

The high-profile commissioning ceremony of India’s first deepwater transshipment port ignited a fierce political tussle among the CPI(M), Congress, and BJP over who made the project a reality.

The ceremony, presided over by PM Modi, was attended by Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, might have several political takeaways, but the tug-of-war over credit reveals the project's significance.  

Thiruvananthapuram's Vizhinjam seaport is India's first deepwater transshipment port. 

Built at an estimated cost of Rs 8,867 crore under a public-private partnership (PPP) with Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ). It is poised to transform Kerala's economy and bolster India’s position on the global trade map.

Strategically located just 10 nautical miles from the busy international shipping route connecting Europe, the Persian Gulf and the Far East, Vizhinjam enjoys inherent locational advantages that position it for success as a global transshipment hub, reads the website of the project.

“Its proximity to the East-West axis which accounts for a substantial quantum of global maritime trade provides easy access without deviation for the large vessels that form the lifeline of today’s ocean commerce,” it said.

Until now, about 75 per cent of India's transshipment containers were handled by Colombo Port in Sri Lanka, leading to significant losses in foreign exchange.

Vizhinjam is expected to bring much of that traffic back to India.