Vizhinjam project sends tourism industry into a tizzy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government’s move to speed up the Rs 6,595-crore Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport seems to be creating anxious moments for the 31 resorts in the vicinity of the project site.
Members of Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association (KHRA) and the South Kerala Hotel Federation (SKHF) say the project is likely to dent the tourism prospects of Kovalam, which is just 2km away from the project site.
Data show that the state capital accounts for 30.95% of the total foreign tourist arrivals in the state. Almost all of these tourists also visit the Kovalam beach and about 90% of them stay there for a day or two.
KHRA members say the ecological impact of dredging, underwater blasting and other port construction activities would adversely impact the beach. Last month, the representatives of KHRA and SKHF had met chief minister and the port minister to apprise them of their concern.
In a letter submitted to the port minister, the associations cited the case of Poonthura beach to point out that high erosion could destroy the coastline.
“Quarry waste will need to be transported through sea barges along the coast to the Vizhinjam area. The movement of these vessels will pollute the ecology and increase the oil waste. This will make the beach unsuitable for swimming. These impacts are well established in ports in Mumbai, Puducherry, and, most importantly, Kochi. Overall a severe negative impact is expected on Kovalam beach,” the letter noted.
Representatives of the tourism trade in the state capital said more than 3,100 direct jobs in the tourism sector will be lost in the port area of Vizhinjam.
Meanwhile, tourism minister A P Anil Kumar, in an effort to allay fears among various tourism stakeholders, said that the port should be built without impacting the sector. But he was quick to add that the Vizhinjam port is a dream project of the state government. “But the concerns of the tourism sector can be taken up with the ports minister and the chief minister,” he said.
The tourism sector operators say that the government should protect them as it is a non-polluting sector. “We are not against the project. But tourism is already a well-established sector. The government should take this into account. We fear that jobs will be lost if the industry suffers,” said Dileep P M, general manager of a Vizhinjam-based resort.