Big Move, Adani To Link Port And Airport At Thiruvananthapuram

Adani seems to have hit a gold mine with the proposed integration of Vizhinjam Port with Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. The integration will enable crew changes for ships and also route cargo to other parts of the country, as the port has an integrated check post (ICP) for immigration, customs and cargo paperwork. Once this goes on stream, there will be no need to depend on Colombo’s transhipment and crew changes. This will generate high revenues and make cargo movement and handling of ships faster and easier. The ICP will enable the port to become a sea-air transhipment hub. Adani airport is only 16 km from the Vizhinjam port, which receives motherships and lies close to the international shipping route from Europe and Middle East to South East Asia. Documentation would be easy because of the ICP. It will also be easy for the port to move cargo using flights. Also, on the anvil are warehouses and units where cargo can also be processed, reassembled and moved by any mode of transport — road or rail. Since the airport is also controlled by the same group, it will be easier to offer incentives for freight movement. And if this is not enough the Adanis have got the Union government’s environment clearance to set up a 240-room, 5 star hotel at the airport premises. As part of Rs 136 crore project, the hotel will also have a 660 seat convention centre, dining facilities and also aims to provide world-class facilities, to enhance passenger experience and support the Vizhinjam port’s development.