Kerala CM, Oppn claim credit for Vizhinjam port

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Kerala on May 2, the leaders of the CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) battled for claiming credit for the Vizhinjam International Seaport.

- HT Correspondent

KOCHI: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Kerala on May 2, the leaders of the CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) battled for claiming credit for the Vizhinjam International Seaport.

India's first semi-automated port which can handle large vessels due to its proximity to the international sea waters and natural depth, Vizhinjam port kick started its trial operations in July last year and commercial operations began in October. Since then, over 270 ships have berthed at the port and over 6 lakh TEUs (Twenty-foot equivalent unit) of cargo have been handled at the port.

On Wednesday, Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan alleged that he was not originally invited to the commissioning event scheduled to be held on May 2 by the state government and that the invite came only after the controversy over it. "Won't take part in the programme," he added.