News Highlight
- The construction of the Vizhinjam port aggravates coastal erosion along the Thiruvananthapuram shoreline.
Key Takeaway
- The protesters raised seven demands which include a scientific study to assess the impact of the port work on the shoreline after stopping the construction of the port.
Vizhjinjam Port
- About
- The former Kerala Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of the Vizhinjam port construction back in December 2015.
- Adani Ports Private Limited’s port, constructed for Rs 7,525 crore, has since missed its completion target.
- According to the Adani group, the port is close to crucial international shipping lanes and will strengthen India’s economy.
- Additionally, it will compete with Colombo, Singapore, and Dubai for some shipment traffic, making it strategically significant.
- Internally, it was connected to the network of railways and to national and regional roadways.
Fisherman Protest
- Fishermen in the area have been protesting against its development for four months.
- They claim that the port’s construction will cause significant sea cliffs to erode, destroying their homes and way of life.
- Their seven-point demands are
- Conduct an impact analysis and put the project on hold until the results are released.
- Rehabilitating families whose homes were destroyed by sea rage.
- Compensation for loved ones in fishing accidents.
- Fishermen receive financial support on days when weather warnings are issued.
- Subsidise kerosene
- A mechanism to dredge the Muthalappozhi fishing harbour in Anchuthengu.
- Practical steps to mitigate coastal erosion.
Ecological Effects
- Irreversibly destroyed ecology
- Another threat is an irreversibly devastated ecology that results in nature’s deadlier risks.
- In a highly delicate ecosystem, ports without proper safeguards cause irreparable harm to the local population’s way of life and marine life.
- Landfills and breakwaters may alter current patterns and cause water to pool behind them.
- The location of a port could hasten the accumulation of sediment in stagnant water behind buildings and contaminate the sea floor.
Issues and challenges in India’s port connectivity
- Port congestion
- Port congestion due to container volume, shortage of handling equipment and inefficient operations is a significant concern. E.g. Nhava Sheva port.
- Sub-optimal Transport Modal Mix
- The transport modal mix is not optimal because the necessary infrastructure for evacuation from major and minor ports is lacking.
- Lengthy inspection and scrutiny
- Even though India’s customs operations have rapidly become paperless and digital, cargo and other shipping operations still face lengthy inspections and scrutiny.
- Technology and inadequate infrastructure issues
- Inadequate machinery for handling a large volume.
- Inadequate facilities, IT systems, and navigational aids.
Government major initiatives
- Sargamala Initiative
- It is concentrated on improving port connectivity, supporting coastal communities, modernising and developing ports, and promoting port-related industrialization.
- The Draft Indian Ports Bill 2021
- It aims to centralize the administration of minor ports that state governments currently manage.
- Marine Aids to Navigation Bill 2021
- The Parliament approved it, incorporating international obligations, technological advancements, and best practices from around the world.
Way Forward
- The Sagarmala project’s port modernization and new port development, port connectivity enhancement, port-linked industrialization, and coastal community development have enormous potential for lowering transportation and logistics costs and increasing export competitiveness.
- For ports to operate more effectively, technologies like big data and sophisticated GPS navigation systems should be deployed.
- Expanding capacity and increasing operational effectiveness should be prioritized.
Pic Courtesy: freepik
Content Source: The Hindu