The chaos at the in-contruction Vizhinjam Sea Port.

Background

The construction of the Vizhinjam International Deep Sea Port was awarded to the Adani Ports and SEZ on 10 Jun 2015. The 1st phase will be completed by Onam-2023. Initial date of completion was slated, after 1,000 days from the start, between Dec '19 and Aug '20. However, Covid-19 provided the first reason for delay.  

The Imbroglio

Hundreds of fisher folk have been protesting in front of the Vizhinjam port entrance for the past three days demanding the state government open its eyes to their various livelihood issues. Led by the priests of the Latin Archdiocese, the coastal community members, including women from nearby coastal hamlets flocked to the entrance of the multi-purpose seaport, located at nearby Mulloor, in large groups since Monday morning.

A Fear Factor Added

The swallowing up of large swathes of the famous Shanghumukham Beach of Thiruvananthapuram and the nearby coastline of Kollam by the sea, in recent times, have been attributed to the strong northward tides caused, thanks to the protruding breakwaters of the Vizhinjam Port!

The Demands of the Agitators

They have put across 7 points which are :-

 (1) Halt the Adani Port project and carry out a proper study on its negative impact on coastal erosion. The team should comprise of experts and locals nominated by the protestors.

 (2) Implement the rehabilitation package, announced by the state government and extend it to all affected families. The government should provide temporary, rent free accommodation to those who lost their houses.

 (3) Take effective steps to mitigate coastal erosion and rehabilitate those affected by it.

 (4) Pay speedy compensation to the fishermen involved in sea accidents.

 (5) Address their livelihood issues including subsidised kerosene.

 (6) Address the dredging near harbour at Muthalapuzha.

 (7) Pay minimum wages on days forced to stay off work (adverse weather warnings).

Result

* The port building activities have come to a grinding halt.

* The agitators have begun talks with the government.

My take

It's my fond hope that the problems are solved at the earliest and the building-activities continue.

Tailpiece.

Got up at a trifle past 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10.

Lekha goes to the ration stand to buy our monthly dues. Suraj was her sa'arthi.

Participated in the 582nd episode of Aazhchakkoottam : "Development and Local Agitations" by Dr NN Panicker, Development Scientist, from 1600 - 1730 hrs. A very interesting talk and subsequent interaction. 

The good doctor had invited me to an online meeting of his group called "Nattukuttam" that focuses on the problems of Kuttanad from 1930 - 2100 hrs. Must confess that it was a good experience.