Congress MP Shashi Tharoor reached Thiruvananthapuram just in time to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the landmark commissioning of the Vizhinjam International Seaport, despite facing delays at what he called a “dysfunctional” Delhi airport.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Tharoor wrote, “Despite delays at the dysfunctional Delhi airport, managed to land in Thiruvananthapuram in time to receive Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his arrival in my constituency. Looking forward to his officially commissioning Vizhinjam port, a project I have been proud to have been involved with since its inception.”
The moment marked rare bipartisan harmony, with Tharoor setting aside political lines to support a project that has long been close to his heart. The Vizhinjam port, developed by the Kerala government under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model with Adani Vizhinjam Port as the concessionaire, represents a strategic leap in India's maritime infrastructure.
With an investment of ₹8,900 crore, the Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport is poised to become the country’s first fully operational container transshipment hub. Located just 10 nautical miles from major international shipping lanes and offering a natural draft of over 20 metres, the port can berth large container vessels without extensive dredging—making it both cost-effective and environmentally viable.
The port features state-of-the-art container terminals, multiple berths, and a robust logistics zone, all designed for mechanised and seamless cargo operations. Once fully functional, Vizhinjam is expected to significantly reduce India’s reliance on foreign ports like Colombo and Singapore for transshipment, bringing global cargo traffic directly to Indian shores.
Experts believe the port will play a pivotal role in positioning India as a major logistics hub connecting Europe, Africa, the U.S., and East Asia, while also stimulating local employment and regional trade.
