‘Tide of benefits will lift everyone’

The government chose Enayam for the location of the major port, instead of Colachel, taking into consideration population density and damage to buildings. While displacement and damage will be minimum in Enayam, care will be taken not to affect the livelihood of fishermen, assure officials.

There is every possibility of extending the proposed economic corridor along the east coast up to Enayam, says Union Minister Pon. Radhakrishnan. Since the port is to come up on reclaimed land of about 3.5 km, damage to structures will be minimum, he claims. While referring to opposition to the project from MLAs of Kanniyakumari district, Mr. Radhakrishnan questions why an MLA who wanted the port for Colachel was opposing it at Enayam.

This is for the first time an investment of over Rs. 27,500 crore is to be made in an infrastructure project in south Tamil Nadu.

Hence, all stakeholders should come together to support it in the interest of the region, says S. Rethinavelu, senior president, Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

S. R. Sreeram, president, Consumer Protection Association, Kanniyakumari district, says the shipbuilding industry will throw up new employment opportunities for Kanniyakumari fishermen, thereby obviating the necessity to go for fishing in the Arabian Sea or for employment in Gulf countries.

Mr. Sreeram is also optimistic of Kanniyakumari transforming into a commercially vibrant district like Kochi when Enayam port becomes operational.

‘For the first time, Rs. 27,500 cr is being invested in an infrastructure project in south T.N.’