The fishermen in Thiruvananthapuram’s Vizhinjam area are engaged in a protest against a sea port which is proposed to be established there by the Adani group. Many of the fisherfolk are members of the Latin Catholic Church, which is helming the protest.
Kerala is one of the South Indian states with coast line of 590 kms. It is having one major port (Cochin) and 17 intermediate / minor ports. Owing to strategic location/ significance, Indian government has planned another ultra-modern biggest containers port at Vizhinjam site Kerala and decided to build on BOP (Build & Operate Ports) basis in 2015.
The port is in final stage of completion but the local fishermen communities are continuing protests / blocking port project for sea erosion, non-rehabilitation of displaced families and fishing issues.
India decided to build the port under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode with Gautam Adani (graded as world’s 3rd richest man), having three partners (Federation, State & Adani Group sharing 1/3 of the project).
Port will have 30 berths, able to handle mega-max container shipment. First phase of construction was due to be completed by Dec 2024 but likely to be delayed owing to persistent issues.
As per the agreement, Adani group was to arrange rehabilitation of displace families owing to port construction but later not facilitated. The chronology of the events led to protests and present standoff between the Christians fisheries community and the port authority/ LEAs. Some major objections of the Fishermen are following: –
The construction of Vizhinjan Port has resulted coastal erosion, thus damaging fishermen dwelling in the area, The environmental changes have also been reported, Fishing business has drastically effected, as now fishermen have to go to deep sea (require more time & increase cost of fuel consumption), Non-rehabilitation of the displaced families from the port site areas, Consequent to the above, small protest started more than 3 months ago and subsequently fishermen blocked the entrance site to the port by erecting 1200 sq ft shelters for residing and sit-in protests.
Adani Group managed court order from Kerala High Court for continuation of port project and police arrested a few fishermen. The arrests promoted hundreds of protestors (over 300) and they charged police station on 27 Nov 2022 and damaged vehicle / property (police claimed loss of INR 85 Lacs). Mr. Adani is claiming that interference in the port project has resulted loss of INR 800 million to the company.
Reportedly, 150-160 persons including 36 police officials injured during violent protests and standoff prevails. Police is also now conscious to avert any untoward event leading to further fueling the issue.
400 policemen have been deployed for port security and additional reinforcement has been demanded. Following are the major demands: – Demanding suspension of project, till impact study of environment, Provision of subsidized kerosene oil, as fishermen have to go for deep fishing, Mechanism to dredge the Muthalappozhi fishing harbor, Rehabilitation of families who lost their home due to port / erosion, Financial support to effective fishermen families including compensation for those who lost their lives in accidents, Effective steps to mitigate coastal erosion.
Gol is extra conscious for aggressive measures as the effected community is Christians. Though protestors cannot block the project, however can delay through protests and approaching courts (Adani stature is managing court). Extra favors to Adani group from Modi government also need to be kept in mind.
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