Vizhinjam Port: Kerala High Court Asks Whether Protesting Fishermen Can Halt Construction Work

The Kerala High Court on Monday questioned if the fishermen, protesting against construction of Vizhinjam International Seaport by the Adani group, can halt a Project which had all the requisite permissions.While considering the petitions filed by M/S Adani Vizhinjam Port Pvt Ltd and its contracting company Howe Engineering Projects, seeking protection for their employees and property, Justice Anu Sivaraman orally remarked,"Protests cannot be quelled; it can happen. But can it hold up the work is the only question."The bench also questioned whether, even if the protestors had complaints with respect to the Project or its nature, instead of peacefully agitating, could they obstruct and put an entire Project on hold."Protests can be registered, but it cannot affect the Project", it was observed. The bench observed that if there are any complaints against the project, it can be raised at the appropriate forum. The matter was then adjourned till the next posting date on Wednesday, 31.08.2022.During the hearing, the counsel for the Petitioners averred that despite the Court's previous order directing the police to maintain the law and order situation at the port site, the public was barred from entering whereas the protestors were allowed to enter and commit vandalism.However, the protesters party to the plea claimed that the agitation is going on in a peaceful manner.M/S Adani Vizhinjam Port Pvt Ltd. started construction of the port from 05.12.2015, after being selected as the concessionaire for the Vizhinjam Seaport Project.However, the Project was opposed by the fisherfolk community stating that the Rs 7,525 Crore Project ought to be stopped and a proper environmental impact study ought to be carried out.The community, under the leadership of the Catholic Archdiocese of Trivandrum, has also raised several demands such as rehabilitation for the families who had lost their homes due to sea erosion, compensation to families of those who lost their lives in fishing accidents, effective steps to mitigate coastal erosion, financial assistance to fisherfolk when warnings are issued and they are unable to venture out to the sea, subsidized kerosene, and rectifying coastal damages in Muthalappozhi to facilitate fishing activity fishing harbour in Anchuthengu in Thiruvananthapuram district.Case Title: M/S Adani Vizhinjam Port Pvt Ltd & 2 Ors v. State of Kerala & 27 Ors. and Howe Engineering Projects (I) Pvt. Ltd. & 3 Ors. v. State of Kerala & 27 Ors.

Vizhinjam Port: Kerala High Court Asks Whether Protesting Fishermen Can Halt Construction Work

Navya Benny

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