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Kerala: Adani's Vizhinjam mega port project stalled as fisherfolk protest
The protests are reminiscent of the backlash Adani faced due to its Australia's Carmichael coal mine over damage to the Great Barrier Reef which delayed the first shipment by six years

Kerala: Adani's Vizhinjam mega port project stalled as fisherfolk protest

Nov 23, 2022
05:47 pm

What's the story

A shelter built by protesting fisherfolk has been hindering the construction of billionaire Gautam Adani's mega port in the Vizhinjam region of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The project, worth $900 million, is set to be India's first transshipment port, which could disrupt the existing shipping trade by becoming a flexible and economical alternative. However, protesters allege the port will disrupt their livelihoods and erode the coast.

Context

Why does this story matter?

The port's construction began in December 2015. The fisherfolk claim since then, the size of their catch has significantly reduced, forcing them to go out further into the sea. The fisherfolk erected the shelter in August 2022 after years of failed pleas. The community is mostly Christian, while the port supporters are predominantly Hindu. The administration fears the protest could take a communal turn.

Information

Port supporters, BJP members set up shelter opposite to protesters

Last month, vehicles that tried exiting the port had to retreat following protests. However, earlier this week, the Kerala High Court ordered that vehicle movement shouldn't be blocked, which the protesters agreed to. Meanwhile, in support of the project, Hindu groups and members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have set up shelters opposite the protesters' shelter.

Details

Construction must proceed unhindered: Kerala HC

The Kerala High Court has repeatedly ruled that the project must proceed without hindrance. But the police are reluctant to act against the protesters, fearing it could spark communal tensions. Protester claim it will ruin the lives of around 56,000 fisherfolk. They are demanding that the construction be halted and independent studies be conducted into the port project's impact on the marine ecosystem.

Protest

Fisherfolk sue Adani Ports, SEZ Ltd., and state government

The leaders of the archdiocese spearheading the protests refused to remove the shelter despite court orders. Moreover, a group of 128 members of the fishing community living near the port filed a case against the Vizhinjam unit of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited along with the Kerala government. They claim the project resulted in coastal erosion and also destroyed their homes.

State government

Coastline erosion caused by cyclones: Kerala government

On the other hand, the state government maintains that coastal erosion was caused by cyclones and other natural disasters. Heeding the pleas of protesters, last month, the government constituted a panel to study coastal erosion there. In a statement, the Adani Group said various studies, including that conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), have cleared the project of allegations of shoreline erosion.

Vedanta replay

Police fears a Thoothukudi replay

Around 300 policemen are currently monitoring the situation. Senior police personnel said they were focused on avoiding any untoward incident, such as the 2018 environmental protests against the Vedanta copper smelter in Tamil Nadu. The police opened fire on protesters, which led to 13 deaths, and the smelter was closed. Meanwhile, supporters of the Adani project accuse the protesters of posing hurdles to development.

Adani

Adani bats for intervention of federal police

The project is jointly undertaken by the Kerala and Union governments and the Adani Group, which is bearing one-third of the cost. The conglomerate has filed a case against the state government alleging police inaction and demanded federal police be brought in. Earlier this month, the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist [CPI(M)] and their arch-rivals, the BJP, came together in support of the project.