Kerala: Rs 100 crore spent so far for Vizhinjam port rehabilitation

The Union Environment Ministry, at the time of the signing of the contract, had directed to carry out rehabilitation initiatives to the tune of Rs 8.65 crore in the region, he said.

"But, the LDF government has adopted a positive policy towards the fishermen community and spent Rs 100 crore for rehabilitation alone," Devarkovil said during the question and answer session.

The significant thing was that land of local fishermen had not been acquired in connection with the seaport project. The land of those who lived away from the seashore had been taken for the same, he explained.

All those who lost land in this way had been given compensation and those who lost houses were given five cents of land each, he added.

The over 130-day-long protest by fisherfolk against the under-construction seaport was called off for now on Tuesday after discussions between the leaders of the agitation and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

In August 2022, fishermen and priests from the area raised slogans and waved black flags against Adani group. Protestors were concerned about marine erosion at the site of the rehabilitation and compensation for the families that lost their homes due to an increased number of tidal wave attacks following the construction.

A large number of fisherfolk had been staging demonstrations outside the main entrance of the multi-purpose seaport at nearby Mulloor for the last more than four months. They even attacked Vizhinjam police station on the night of November 27, injuring several policemen.