India (Commonwealth) _ The Vizhinjam Seaport project, worth Rs 7,500 crore, is being built by the Adani group in the state’s most southern region, but it has been stalled for more than 100 days owing to local opposition headed by the Latin Catholic Archdiocese. The state government, eager to complete the project as soon as possible, has pleaded with the church authorities to put an end to the demonstration because it is essential for bringing about changes to the industrial and economic sector.
Almost all of the demonstrators’ requests, according to the administration, have been met. Although the protestors claim the project will negatively impact the livelihood of fisherman, the coastal eco-system and the ecosystem of the Western Ghats owing to the mining of granite stones for the same, they are unwilling to back down.
In addition, the protesters claimed that despite several meetings at the ministerial level, the administration had not provided any written guarantees about their requests. On a design, construct, finance, operate, and transfer (“DBFOT”) basis, the Vizhinjam International Transhipment Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport is being created using a landlord model with a Public Private Partnership component at an estimated cost of Rs 7,525 crore. A Catholic priest who supports the protestors, Fr Eugene H Pereira, told PTI that the project is being planned in a coastline location that is very eroding and might have a negative impact on the local fishing community. He said that they had asked for an expert panel to examine the effects.
The demonstrators and ministers met on many occasions to try to resolve the situation, but the agitators say their requests were not satisfied. For a few months, a sizable crowd has been holding demonstrations in front of the multipurpose seaport’s main gate in the neighboring town of Mulloor. The administration said that the construction-related trucks will arrive at the port on Friday in light of the most recent High Court judgment permitting the building projects to proceed. The demonstrators have received many severe warnings from the High Court instructing them not to obstruct traffic or construction.
