T’puram: Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan refuted CM V D Satheesan’s claim that the LDF govt delayed road connectivity to Vizhinjam port and termed it a cheap political attempt to mislead the public by hiding facts to take credit for the project.Vizhinjam port, which began commercial operations, was completed during the tenure of the LDF govt. In that context, is it a believable claim that the UDF govt accomplished something major in just two-and-a-half months after assuming office? he asked.When protests were held in 2022 against the construction of the port, UDF openly extended support to them. The then KPCC chief was also among those who imagined that the anti-port protest sponsored by UDF in Vizhinjam would become a repeat of the old liberation struggle. “It was the LDF govt that firmly decided not to halt the construction of Kerala’s dream project in the face of such cheap pressure tactics. It is therefore extremely ironic that those who once agitated to stop the project are now trying to capitalize on the road connectivity work, 99% of which had been completed by the LDF govt,” he said.“The LDF govt fast-tracked every key step required for the road connectivity, linking the port to NH-66, including project planning, land acquisition, legal formalities and govt approvals. In April 2022, the 4(1) notification for land acquisition at NH-66–Vizhinjam Fort Road Junction was issued. In Feb 2024, the 19(1) notification for the road connectivity was published,” he said.“In FY 2024-25, Rs 11 crore was allocated for land acquisition and funds were given to VISL. By the time final approval for the road connectivity was granted in Jan 2024, govt had already acquired 35.81 of the 42 cents required. NHAI delayed the remaining land acquisition process and approvals. Centre delayed approval for the cloverleaf interchange and the approach road. Then MP Shashi Tharoor had to raise the matter in Lok Sabha,” he said.There is documentary evidence of the LDF govt’s precise interventions at every stage of the project and the people of Kerala are aware of it, he said.It is commendable that the public and the media have begun fact-checking the CM’s statements minutes after his news conference. Never before has any CM had to face such a situation, said Vijayan, adding that visuals have emerged showing the various interventions he made to obstruct the project during his tenure as the opposition leader.
