Vizhinjam port: Centre, Kerala set for a clash

WITH only a month left for the commissioning of the Vizhinjam International Seaport, the Central and the Kerala governments are set for a clash over the Viability Gap Funding (VGF). The controversy arose after the Union government imposed repayment obligation on its share of VGF.

Earlier, both the parties had agreed to pay ₹1,635 crore (40% of the project cost) to Adani Vizhinjam Port Pvt Ltd (AVPPL), the project's concessionaire. However, the stipulation mandates that the VGF disbursed by the Centre - ₹817.8 crore must be repaid by the state in net present value terms through revenue sharing.

On Friday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, urging to reconsider the Centre's decision in light of the state's financial challenges. Ports Minister VN Vasavan too expressed concern over the Centre's demand.