Adani with 'Vizhinjam' eye on Azhikkal port

Kannur: With the Azhikkal port project becoming Azhikkal Limited Company under the state government, corporates like Adani and Reliance are said to be setting an eye on the port's project and management. The consultancy firm appointed for a detailed study of the project will arrive at the port at the end of this month.

Wth its Vizhinjam experience, Adani group is targeting Azhikkal. Reliance group is also reported to be interested in the project. Azhikkal port was changed in August 2017 to an equity company with authorized capital of Rs 100 Cr with chief minister and minister for ports on the board.

With the formation of the company, the consultants Howe Engineering Projects India Limited was commissioned to prepare a master plan within a timeframe of 61 weeks, including technical study, project blue print and environment study. Private entrepreneurs consider Azhikkal, which covers the coast of Ezhimala Naval Academy, as the next strategically important one after Vizhinjam in Kerala.

Adani Group are partners in six major ports of the country all of which are in Gujarat, and procured during the chief ministership of Narendra Modi. If the group wins one more contract in Kerala, Adanis will have Kerala ranking second in its port line up. Azhikkal port is looking at an investment of 2000 Cr Rs over two phases; the first phase will be completed in June 2020 and second phase in June 2022.

The consultancy has been appointed using Rs 500 crore granted by KIIFB for the development. Residents and entrepreneurs in the area are apprehensive that several acres of land along the Valapattanam River will see large-scale eviction. Azhikkal Port has only 85 acres of land adjacent to it, and another 60 acres is in densely populated Mattool.

If the port thinks big in the background of Kannur airport also coming into being, and goes forward with plans for a container terminal, the existing area will not be adequate. Only when the blueprint is submitted by the new consultancy will the picture be clear.