Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced the beginning of a significant chapter in Kerala's development with the inauguration of the trial run of the Vizhinjam port. Speaking at the event, he expressed that a long-held dream has finally come to fruition.

Highlighting the economic significance of ports, the Chief Minister emphasized that the Vizhinjam port positions India prominently on the global map. He thanked Karan Adani for his support in completing the project and acknowledged the collective efforts against international challenges.

Vizhinjam is set to become one of the world's major ports, capable of accommodating the largest ships. Although the current operations are in the trial phase, full operations are expected to commence shortly. The Chief Minister revealed that this is just the beginning; with the completion of the fourth phase by 2028, Vizhinjam will become a fully operational port, attracting an investment of 10,000 crores. He mentioned that an agreement will soon be signed to facilitate this development, with the Adani Group providing full cooperation.

The Chief Minister also noted the pride neighboring countries can take in Vizhinjam. He traced the port's journey, highlighting the efforts of the LDF government in securing permissions and overcoming objections, including a significant protest against the Manmohan Singh government's initial denial of the project. The perseverance of the people and the government led to the project's revival in 2013, culminating in the successful trial run.

Chief Minister Vijayan justified the initial opposition to the project, stating that the LDF aimed to prevent any potential corruption or exploitation. He praised Ahmed Devarkov for his dedication to the port's development.

The event also featured Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal as the chief guest, with Ports Minister VN Vasavan presiding over the ceremony.

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