Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially commissioned the Vizhinjam International Seaport on Friday in the presence of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and senior Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor.
Modi said Tharoor's presence will give "sleepless nights" to many. Modi also referred to Vijayan as a "pillar" of the opposition INDIA bloc.
“I would also like to say to the chief minister, you are a very strong pillar of the INDIA alliance. Shashi Tharoor is also sitting here, and today’s event will give sleepless nights to many,” said Modi.
The person translating Modi's speech did not use these references about Tharoor and Vijayan, which prompted the PM to say, "The message has gone across to whom it was meant."
The deep-water port has been developed by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) – India's largest port developer and part of the Adani Group– under a public-private partnership.
The project was completed at an estimated cost of ₹8,867 crore. Following a successful trial run, the port received its commercial commissioning certificate on December 4 last year.
Vijayan said thee landmark project—the largest-ever state investment in any port in the country, with two-thirds of the cost borne by the Government of Kerala—reflects the state's strong commitment to development.
The project was allotted to Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) after the Government of Kerala and Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Ltd. (AVPPL) agreed to a concession agreement in 2015.
(By arrangement with livemint.com)
