Vizhinjam Fishing Harbour Work Likely To Begin In November Along With Port Expansion: Report

The construction of a modern fishing harbour at Vizhinjam is set to begin in November, running parallel to the second and third phases of capacity augmentation at the Vizhinjam International Seaport, according to a Times of India report.

The Harbour Engineering Department (HED) has already floated the tender for Package 2, which involves a 250 metre breakwater built at a 45-degree angle, with an estimated outlay of Rs 125 crore.

The bidder for this package is expected to be finalised within October.

Package 1, covering the core harbour works, including a 500 metre fishery berth, a 235 metre breakwater, and associated infrastructure, will be executed by Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Ltd (AVPPL) at a cost of around Rs 146 crore.

Together, the two packages place the total investment for the fishing harbour at Rs 271 crore.

Fisheries minister Saji Cherian and ports minister V N Vasavan chaired a stakeholders’ meeting earlier this week, with church representatives and leaders of the fishing community in attendance.

"The Adani Group and HED want to begin the breakwater and port works simultaneously. So, when the capacity augmentation of the seaport kicks off, the fishing-harbour construction will also begin. All the apprehensions of the fishermen related to the project have now been addressed," a senior government official was quoted as saying in the report.

Concerns had previously been raised that harbour construction might compromise fishermen’s traditional access to fishing grounds, but these have reportedly been resolved in the revised plan.

The new facility, situated between the existing harbour and the international port, will feature a jetty, auction hall, locker rooms, administrative offices, toilet blocks, and a canteen.

Fishermen opted to continue with traditional boats rather than accommodate trawlers, a preference that has been incorporated into the final design.

Meanwhile, Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL) has brought Engineers India Ltd (EIL) on board to oversee the port’s next phases of expansion, scheduled to commence in November, with completion targeted for December 2028.

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