Latest news with #Vasavan
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
‘Ente Keralam' Fair exhibits state achievements in Kottayam and Idukki
The "Ente Keralam" Exhibition and Sales Fair is being held at Nagampadam Ground, , from April 24 to 30. Minister VN Vasavan highlighted that Kerala's achievements under the LDF government's administration stand as a model for the entire nation. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He shared these remarks while inaugurating the "Ente Keralam" exhibition and sales fair, organised as part of the government's fourth-anniversary celebrations. Kerala remains the only state to release its progress report in a format accessible to the public. Minister Vasavan also credited the development of national highways to the government's steadfast commitment and determination. Watch here: The event was presided over by chief whip N Jayaraj, with addresses delivered by Sebastian Kulathunkal MLA, district panchayat President Hemalatha Premsagar, collector John V Samuel, district police chief A Shahul Hameed, subcollector D Ranjith, Changanassery municipal chairperson Krishnakumari Rajashekaran, Mukesh K Mani, PV Sunil, Ajayan K Menon, Jose Puthankala, TR Raghunathan, VB Binu, Prof Lopaz Mathew, Benny Mailadthur, and others. Thousands of participants from various government institutions across the district joined the cultural procession, which commenced from Thirunakkara Ground and concluded at Nagampadam Ground. The fair features 186 stalls, managed by different government departments and public sector institutions. Watch here: The "Ente Keralam" Exhibition and Trade Fair also launched as part of the state's fourth-anniversary celebrations in . "Ente Keralam" Exhibition and Trade Fair also launched as part of the state's fourth-anniversary celebrations in Idukki. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, while inaugurating the district-level meeting at Nedumkandam government vocational higher secondary school, emphasized the Kerala government's commitment to finding a permanent resolution for Idukki's land issues. He added that land reform policies would soon be formulated. During the meeting, the Chief Minister engaged with special invitees and interacted with 500 representatives from various sectors. The "Ente Keralam" exhibition and trade fair in Vazathope features government stalls, a Kudumbashree food court, and facilities for screening Malayalam films with artistic significance, spread across a 34,000-square-foot area. Disclaimer - The above content is non-editorial, and TIL hereby disclaims any and all warranties, expressed or implied, relating to it, and does not guarantee, vouch for or necessarily endorse any of the content.
The Hindu
02-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Political undercurrents mark Vizhinjam port inauguration by PM Modi
The official commissioning of the Vizhinjam International Seaport by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (May 2, 2025) appeared punctuated with national and provincial politics. Mr. Modi, who dedicated the facility to the nation, seemed to take an oblique dig at the Congress' national leadership by observing that two prominent INDIA bloc leaders – Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Shashi Tharoor, MP, – shared the high-profile stage with him. 'It might make some quarters uncomfortable,' Mr. Modi quipped. The Prime Minister also joked about the translator missing the political punchline. Mr. Modi also satirically seized on State Fisheries Minister V.N. Vasavan's words for political point-scoring. Mr. Vasavan said the Kerala government had 'found a partner' in Adani Ports to make Vizhinjam a reality. Mr. Modi said he saw some novelty in a Communist government reckoning a private sector entity as a reliable partner in a flagship infrastructure development project. 'Private-government partnership is crucial to the country's development', he noted. Mr. Modi appeared to have used the moment to indirectly dispel Congress' criticism that the Central government favoured the Adani Group. Mr. Modi commenced his speech by stating he was 'fortunate to step on Padmanabhan's land', referring to the landmark Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram. He noted that the country observed May 2 as Adi Sankara Jayanthi, an eighth-century Hindu seer believed to have been born in Kalady in Kerala. Homage to Pope Mr. Modi paid homage to the late Pope Francis in the predominantly Latin Catholic locality. He remembered St Thomas, one of the 12 Apostles, who Christians believe had arrived in Kerala in 52 BC. Mr. Modi saluted the crowd by stating 'Jai Bharath and Jai Keralam', signalling that the Centre was 'in lockstep with the State' on welfare and development issues. Meanwhile, Mr. Vijayan sought to make a political point by underscoring that Kerala had borne 60% of the project cost. He noted that the Centre had limited itself to (a relatively less and repayable) viability gap funding. Mr. Vijayan appeared to leverage the national stage to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress' assertion that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government was falsely taking credit for a Central scheme. He also highlighted the challenges the LDF had overcome to make Vizhinjam a reality. Mr. Vasavan described Mr. Vijayan as 'the driving force' behind the Vizhinjam port. Awkward moment The event also had its arguably awkward moments. Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas stated that the presence of BJP State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on stage at the behest of the Prime Minister's Office was 'undemocratic.' Mr. Riyas accused Mr. Chandrasekhar of political impropriety by allegedly attempting to turn the State function into 'a BJP political event.' Mr. Riyas asked journalists to turn their television cameras towards the stage where Mr. Chandrasekhar had seated himself well ahead of the function's commencement, raising his fist occasionally in support of BJP workers' loud sloganeering. 'Ministers are sitting with the audience when the BJP State president is raising his hand to political sloganeering by his party compatriots. Kerala will not forgive him for the untimely and absurd political theatre aimed at robbing the momentous national and international importance of the port's commissioning', Mr. Riyas told reporters.
NDTV
01-05-2025
- Business
- NDTV
PM Modi To Inaugurate Rs 8,900 Crore Vizhinjam Port On May 2 In Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 'Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport' worth Rs 8,900 crore on May 2, according to a press release. According to the release, it is the country's first dedicated container transhipment port, representing the transformative advancements being made in India's maritime sector as part of the unified vision of Viksit Bharat. The release noted that Vizhinjam Port, which is strategically important, has been identified as a key priority project that will contribute to strengthening India's position in global trade, enhancing logistics efficiency, and reducing reliance on foreign ports for cargo transhipment. Its natural deep draft of nearly 20 meters and location near one of the world's busiest sea trade routes further strengthen India's position in global trade. Meanwhile, Kerala Ports Minister VN Vasavan addressed a media briefing on Wednesday ahead of the commissioning of the Vizhinjam International Seaport, which is scheduled to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 2 at 11:00 AM. In the presence of state ministers V Sivankutty, GR Anil, and Thiruvananthapuram Mayor Arya Rajendran, Minister Vasavan announced the list of dignitaries invited to the commissioning ceremony. Along with PM Modi, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Ministers Suresh Gopi and George Kurian, State Ministers Saji Cheriyan, V Sivankutty, GR Anil, Opposition leader V D Satheesan, MPs Shashi Tharoor and A.A. Rahim, Mayor Arya Rajendran, and former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar. "Our nation is about to witness an unforgettable moment. On May 2nd at 11 AM, the Prime Minister will commission the Vizhinjam International Seaport. This is a historic occasion. A list of invitees including the Governor, Chief Minister, Union Shipping Minister, Union Ministers Suresh Gopi and George Kurian, State Ministers Saji Cheriyan, V Sivankutty, GR Anil, Opposition Leader, MPs Shashi Tharoor and A.A. Rahim, Mayor, and former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar. The Prime Minister's Office will finalise who will speak and sit on the dais. The event will be completed within 90 minutes as per protocol," said the port minister. Highlighting the port's operational achievements ahead of commissioning, Vasavan said, "The port began its trial run in July 2024 and received its commissioning certificate on December 3rd. So far, 285 ships have arrived, handling 593000 TEUs, surpassing expectations even before formal commissioning. Vizhinjam has already outperformed many global ports. MSC ships previously did not dock in Dubai or Colombo have reached Vizhinjam. "On the port's capacity and future, Vasavan added, "Vizhinjam can handle up to 30 lakh TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit) annually, and based on current operations, even 45 lakh TEUs is possible."Minister Vasavan further informed that the construction will be completed ahead of schedule. Addressing funding concerns, Vasavan said, "Initially, the Centre insisted on providing VGF (Viability Gap Funding) as a loan. Despite repeated requests from the State, including from the Chief Minister, the stance remained unchanged. Hence, we agreed to take the VGF as a loan, although our position remains unchanged. Under the revised agreement, construction will be completed earlier than expected, and revenue generation will begin sooner. There's no need for further land acquisition for the next phases of development." He refuted speculation of political conflict, stating, "There is no conflict between the Centre and the State. The central and state government advertisements will appear separately. This is being inaugurated as part of Kerala government's annual celebrations--what's wrong with stating that? It's not a CPI(M)-BJP project; it's a joint effort by both governments." Commenting on the participation from the opposition, Vasavan said, "Whether the Leader of the Opposition will attend is yet to be confirmed. The project has acknowledged the contributions made during the Oommen Chandy government. While the Left did not agree to the original agreement, the real construction began during the LDF tenure. The Vizhinjam port project required strong will--and the LDF government acted decisively, modifying the agreement and driving the project forward."
The Hindu
30-04-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Vizhinjam Port to be dedicated to nation by PM on Friday
Scripting a new chapter in the maritime history of the country and Kerala, the Vizhinjam International Seaport will be dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 11 a.m. on Friday. Terming the event a golden moment for the second Pinarayi Vijayan government in Kerala, which celebrates its fourth anniversary, Kerala Port Minister V.N. Vasavan said the formal handover of the port would take Kerala to the forefront of the world's maritime trade. With the signing of the viability gap funding (VGF) agreement with the Centre, all the procedures related to the first phase construction of the Vizhinjam Port have been completed. The formal commissioning of the port will be attended by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Ministers of State George Kurien and Suresh Gopi, State Ministers, the Leader of the Opposition and others. According to Mr. Vasavan, of the initial cost of ₹8,867 crore spent for the port project, the State government's contribution is ₹5,595 crore (63%), while Adani Group, concessionaire of the project, spends ₹2,454 crore (28%). Also, ₹818 crore (9%) is granted by the Centre as VGF loan. The ₹1,350 crore spent on constructing the breakwater was borne by the State government alone. In addition, ₹1,482.92 crore will have to be spent by the State to establish rail connectivity to the port. Terming the Centre's decision to grant the VGF share as a loan a disregard to Kerala, Mr. Vasavan said the Centre's insistence that the State should repay this VGF amount based on the net present value (NPV) will bleed the exchequer, as it will have to repay approximately ₹10,000-₹12,000 crore to the Centre over a certain period. On the other hand, there were no such conditions when the VGF amount of ₹1,411 crore was granted for the Outer Harbour project of the Thoothukudi Port, he said. When the Vizhinjam port, which is fully ready for commissioning, becomes operational in full swing, a large portion of the revenue from the port will go to the Central government, he said. The Centre gets 60 paise out of every rupee collected as customs duty, whereas the State is likely to get one to three paise. Even at a rough estimate, Vizhinjam will net an annual revenue of ₹10,000 crore through customs duty. Accordingly, the Centre is likely to get an additional revenue of ₹6,000 crore annually, said Mr. Vasavan. As the next phase is completed by 2028, the minimum installed capacity of the port will be 3 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) per annum. The Adani Port will invest an estimated amount of ₹9,500 crore in the subsequent phases. Even before the commissioning, ships started calling at the port when the trial operations began on July 11, 2024, and commercial operations began on December 3, 2024. So far, 285 ships have berthed at the port, and the port has amazed the world by handling a whopping 5,93,000 TEUs in such a short span of time. It has achieved 110% utilisation of its installed capacity during this period. The Vizhinjam Port also ranked first in cargo movements at ports on the south and west coasts of India in February and March 2025 by achieving the feat of handling 1 lakh TEUs a month. In addition, MSC Türkiye, billed as the largest ship to ever arrive in India, berthed smoothly in Vizhinjam during this period. MSC's weekly service to Europe, titled Jade Service, also started from Vizhinjam. With the formal commissioning, Vizhinjam will grow to a level that can compete with any major port in the world, a proud moment for Kerala, said Mr. Vasavan, adding that the State government has received ₹45 crore in GST from the port's operations to date.
