If there is one person who can rightfully be pleased about the Vizhinjam port development agreement, it is Ports Minister K. Babu. Given the high profile nature of the project, Mr. Babu has been the perfect foil. He was handpicked for the job by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy with the special objective of seeing the Vizhinjam proposals through. “The most satisfying aspect of the Vizhinjam port development is that it has gone through the paces of environmental impact assessment,” he told The Hindu . The report was prepared as per Union government guidelines, with a public hearing being conducted prior to publication. The report said only 325 fish workers stood to lose their livelihood as a result of the development of the port. Apart from them, around 2,000 fish workers would face difficulties when construction begins.
The government would spend Rs.132 crore on a rehabilitation package which will include a drinking water project (Rs.7.3 crore), package for 325 fish workers who will lose their jobs (Rs.7.1 crore), new fishing landing harbour (Rs.96 crore), renovation of existing fish landing harbour (Rs.5 crore) seafood park and skill development centre (Rs.4 crore each), and solid waste management and sanitation (Rs.10 crore), he said.
The government, in association with the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), had carried out studies on the coast to assess the environmental impact. Though the studies showed that there would be no major changes, the State had decided to constantly monitor the environment with the assistance of the INCOIS, he said. “Vizhinjam port would be among the most eco-friendly ports because land acquisition is minimum.” Mr. Babu said he was also looking forward to a major boost to coastal shipping that would have an impact on Kerala’s congested road transport by shifting movement of cargo from road to coastal shipping connecting other non-major ports such as Ponnani, Beypore, and Azhikkal, not to mention the Kochi port.
