The Kerala government has given in-principle approval for a new fishing harbour at Vizhinjam, paving the way for a long-pending project aimed at improving fishing infrastructure and safety for local fishermen. The Fisheries Department approved the first package of the revised project, which will be implemented by Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Limited (AVPPL), the concessionaire of Vizhinjam International Seaport.
The proposed harbour will feature a 235-metre-long breakwater and a 500-metre L-shaped fishery berth, along with supporting facilities. The breakwater is expected to strengthen protection at the harbour entrance, while the new berth will provide improved space for fishing boats to dock and for fish to be loaded and unloaded.
The project is linked to commitments made under the environmental and Coastal Regulation Zone clearances granted for Phase I of the Vizhinjam International Seaport project. The clearances included the development of an additional fish-landing centre.
The harbour design was revised following concerns from the fishing community and harbour authorities over sea conditions at the entrance of the existing fishing harbour after the construction of the port breakwaters. The Central Water and Power Research Station conducted physical wave-model studies and recommended changes to the harbour’s location, breakwater configuration and berth arrangement.
The approval comes after more than a decade of demands from the Vizhinjam fishing community. Kerala Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan said the new facility would help fishermen safely dock their boats and facilitate the loading and unloading of fish.
The project is expected to strengthen the fishing infrastructure around the rapidly expanding Vizhinjam port and provide safer and more efficient facilities for the local fishing community.
