The Adani Group will strive to commission the Vizhinjam international deep water multi-purpose seaport in a record time of 1,000 days, according to its Chairman, Gautam Adani.

The original schedule for the project, the concession agreement for which was signed here on Monday, talks about a timeframe of four years for execution.

‘Most efficient’ Speaking after the signing ceremony, he said the mission was to make Vizhinjam the largest and most efficient port infrastructure in the country.

He said work on the project will start on November 1, the Kerala Formation Day, to the applause of a large, invited gathering that witnessed the signing ceremony at the Durbar Hall of the Government Secretariat.

The Group has already formed a special purpose vehicle Adani Vizhinjam Ports Pvt Ltd, which will be headed by Santosh Kumar Mohapatra who was at the helm of the Dhamra port in Odisha.

Adani described Mohapatra as the most experienced leader from his stable with a proven track record of executing large projects.

The special purpose vehicle has already started off with some of the planning and engineering work related to the project, he said.

“Vizhinjam is one of the most exciting projects that we have taken up in recent times,” he said, and added that the breakwater being built will be one of the most complex structures ever engineered.

The Group had conveyed the nature of the challenge this posed to Kerala Chief Minister Chandy. Adani gave full credit to him for his forthrightness and determination to offer his support for taking up this challenge.

Govt support “Relaxation of the Cabotage Law will be crucial to sustainable operation of the port as and when it becomes ready,” Adani said.

He hoped the Centre will give due recognition to this aspect and consider the request of the State government for necessary action.

Adani also offered to take every stakeholder on board whose livelihood is dependent on the prospects of the mega project. He assured the Adani Group’s commitment to serve the best interests of all and sought cooperation of all political parties in translating the dream project in to a reality.

James Varghese, secretary, Ports, Kerala, and Santosh Kumar Mohapatra, CEO of Adani Vizhinjam Ports, signed the concession agreement on behalf of the respective parties. Earlier in the day, Adani met Leader of Opposition VS Achutanandan even as the Opposition Left Democratic Front chose to give the event a skip.

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