Locals complain against Vizhinjam port project

Fishermen in the adjacent areas of the Vizhinjam port project in Kerala complained that the proposed project would threaten their livelihood.

Fishermen raised their concerns at the recent public hearing of the environmental impact assessment report.

Besides the concerns of the fishermen, complaints were also raised about the possible adverse impact or changes in shoreline at Vizhinjam, loss of tourism revenue.

It is learnt that a majority of them supported the construction of the port but 45 complaints — many of them repetitive in nature — questioned its viability.

However, proponents of the project argue that only a small area would be impacted and it won’t destroy the fish diversity.

The affected tourism stakeholders raise queries about the material required for filling and construction besides levelling concerns of sea erosion owing to dredging.

The port response is that only the dredged material will be used for filling. EIA studies have evaluated the possible quarry sites, and transportation through barges. They cover all these aspects, it said.