Adani Port plans SEZ at Vizhinjam to drive port-led development
Adani Ports & SEZ has plans to develop a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Vizhinjam, replicating the success of its Mundra port, said Harikrishnan Sundaram, Head of Container Business at Adani Ports & SEZ.
Speaking at the session ‘Beyond the Port: Transforming Kerala into a Global Economic Powerhouse’ on the second day of the Vizhinjam Conclave, he emphasised the importance of an industrial ecosystem in driving port-led development.
Sundaram highlighted Vizhinjam’s immense potential, noting that no port in India has handled one million twenty foot equivalent units (TEUs) within its first year of operation. To facilitate this growth, Adani Ports plans to develop supporting infrastructure, including SEZs, logistics hubs, and warehouses. “Jebel Ali Port successfully built an ecosystem that fuelled its growth and played a key role in the UAE’s economic transformation. A similar model should be implemented at Vizhinjam,” he said.
He also stressed the necessity of robust multi-modal connectivity to the hinterland via road, rail, and inland waterways. Calling for government collaboration, he emphasised that enhanced connectivity would ensure seamless trade operations and maximise economic benefits.
Ratnesh Jha, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact Network, underscored Kerala’s progress in social development, particularly through its community-based self-help groups that empower women. However, he stressed the importance of balancing economic acceleration with Kerala’s well-established social framework, advocating for sustainable and inclusive growth.
KR Jyothilal, Additional Chief Secretary, said that Kerala has sufficient capacity to meet Vizhinjam Port’s energy requirements. The State’s reliance on water-based energy sources and its self-sufficiency in solar power as key steps towards sustainability.
Shyam Kapur, CEO of Sharaf Group, said Kerala’s economic resilience and rapid recovery from natural calamities, such as floods. He urged Kerala to adopt a more open policy toward foreign residents and investors, akin to the UAE, to attract investment and economic expansion.
