'Symbol of new-age development': PM Modi inaugurates Rs 8,900cr Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport in Kerala.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime minister said, ""On one hand, there is this big sea with so many opportunities and on the other hand, there is beauty of nature, in between there is this 'Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport', which is a symbol of new-age development."
Built under a public-private partnership by Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd, the Rs 8,867-crore Vizhinjam project is India’s first dedicated deep-water transshipment port. Strategically positioned near key global shipping lanes and powered by semi-automated, AI-enabled systems, the port is designed to reclaim a large portion of India’s outbound cargo that is currently routed through foreign ports.

PM Modi also used the occasion to attack the opposition saying, ""I want to say this to the CM (Pinarayi Vijayan)... you are a strong pillar of INDI alliance. (Congress MP) Shashi Tharoor is also sitting here. Today's event will give sleepless nights to several people. He (translator) could not (translate these line)... but the message has gone where it had to."
Also see: In photos: The making of Rs 8,900 crore Vizhinjam Port, India’s new maritime gateway


Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan earlier extended gratitude to the PM on behalf of the people of the state for dedicating the landmark project to the nation.
"On behalf of the people of Kerala, I once again express our sincere gratitude to the Prime Minister for visiting our state to dedicate the landmark project to the nation. I also extend my congratulations to the Adani Group for executing this mission with excellence", he said while addressing the gathering.