Govt hits out at Adani group on delay in Vizhinjam Port project

Thiruvananthapuram: The state government has expressed disappointment at the Adani group over the delay in Vizhinjam port construction. Minister for ports Ahammad Devarkovil said that the firm which pointed out shortage of stones as an excuse submitted a plea with the government to operate a quarry in 2018. 

"The department has taken action to notify Adani group on the availability of stones in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka. We have demanded the company to purchase stones and complete the project immediately," explained the minister.

Meanwhile, the Adani group has dismissed all the allegations related to the project. They claimed that they got a quarry without sufficient stones for the work in the initial phase. We have taken efforts to collect stones for the work since 2016. But the natural calamities and other issues affected work. At present, there are no other issues to implement the project, informed Adani group.

The state government has asked the company to complete works and open the port in 2022. But Adani port CEO Rajesh Jha responded that the Vizhinjam port project will be completed only in 2023. The government signed the contract for the Vizhinjam port project with the Adani group in December 2015.