Vizhinjam fishing harbour construction set to begin in Nov alongside port expansion.

The construction of a new fishing harbour at Vizhinjam is set to commence in November 2025, running in parallel with the second and third phases of the Vizhinjam International Seaport expansion, officials involved in the project told The Times of India.

The ₹271 crore harbour project will be executed in two packages. Package 1, worth ₹146 crore, includes core harbour works such as a 500-metre fishery berth, a 235-metre breakwater, and supporting infrastructure. These works will be carried out by Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Ltd (AVPPL). Package 2, estimated at ₹125 crore, involves the construction of a 250-metre seaward breakwater at a 45-degree angle, to be executed by the Harbour Engineering Department (HED), which has already floated the tender. A final bidder is expected to be selected within the month.

Officials say the plan is to launch the fishing harbour and port augmentation works simultaneously, ensuring better coordination and faster implementation. “All concerns raised by the fishing community have now been addressed,” a senior government official confirmed on condition of anonymity.

The harbour will be built in the space between the existing fishing harbour and the Vizhinjam International Seaport. Facilities will include a jetty, engine and net-locker rooms, auction hall, administrative offices, toilets, and a canteen. While the initial plans included infrastructure for trawling vessels, the final design accommodates traditional fishing boats, as preferred by local fishers.

A stakeholders' meeting held on Tuesday, chaired by Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian and Ports Minister V N Vasavan, brought together church representatives and leaders from the fishing community. The ministers assured them that traditional fishing access would not be compromised by the new construction.

Meanwhile, Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL) has signed an agreement with Engineers India Ltd (EIL), which will independently oversee design reviews and construction work for the upcoming port expansion phases. These phases are expected to start next month and are scheduled for completion by December 2028.

In a related development, Adani Ports and the Kerala government signed a supplementary concession agreement in November 2024, accelerating the port expansion timeline. As part of the deal, Adani Ports agreed to withdraw arbitration proceedings over previous delays, while the state government extended the port concession until 2060.