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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Vizhinjam Port Project

Mains level: Port-led development in India

Vizhinjam near Thiruvananthapuram, is on the boil due to the under-construction Vizhinjam Port Project, from both sea and land.

The Vizhinjam International Transhipment Deep-water Multipurpose Seaport is an ambitious project taken up by Government of Kerala.
It is designed primarily to cater container transhipment besides multi-purpose and break bulk cargo.
The port is being currently developed in landlord model with a Public Private Partnership component on a design, build, finance, operate and transfer (“DBFOT”) basis.

The protestors have been opposing the construction work by the Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Limited.
Adani group is developing the port on DBFOT basis.

According to fisherfolk, the port work has aggravated the coastal erosion along the coast of Thiruvananthapuram.
A scientific study to assess the impact of the port work on the shoreline has to be conducted urgently by stopping the construction.
Further, around 300 families along the coastline were shifted to relief camps after their houses were destroyed due to high-intensity coastal erosion.
The protesters demand a comprehensive rehabilitation package, an assured minimum wage when the sea turns rough due to inclement weather and subsidised kerosene for boats.

The port is located on the southern tip of the Indian Peninsula, just 10 nautical miles from the major international sea route and east-west shipping axis.
It has a natural water depth of more than 20 m within a nautical mile from the coast.
The Vizhinjam port is likely to play a pivotal role in the maritime development of the country and Kerala.
The commissioning of the port is expected to leverage the growth of 17 minor ports in the State along with creating thousands of employment opportunities.

Why are the fisherfolk protesting over Vizhinjam Port Project?

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