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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Vizhinjam
| other_name =
| settlement_type = neighborhood
| image_skyline =
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Cruise ship at Vizhinjam Port

| pushpin_map = India Kerala#India
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Kerala, India
| coordinates = {{coord|8|22|45|N|76|59|29|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Kerala]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Thiruvananthapuram district|Thiruvananthapuram]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type = Corporation
| governing_body = Trivandrum Municipal corporation
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 =
| area_rank =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| population_total =
| population_as_of =
| population_footnotes =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_rank =
| population_demonym =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 695521
| area_code = 0471
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| registration_plate = KL-20
| website =
| footnotes =
| demographics1_info1 = [[Malayalam language|Malayalam]], [[English language|English]]
}}
'''Vizhinjam''' is a region located in the city of [[Thiruvananthapuram]], the capital of the state of [[Kerala]] in [[India]]. It is located 16 km south west from the city centre and 17 km south of Trivandrum International Airport along NH66. [[Adani Ports & SEZ Limited|Adani Ports]] (APSEZ), India’s biggest private port operator, is currently developing a transhipment port in this area.<ref name=":1">Manoj, P. (19 August 2019). Adani to buy 70% stake in Krishnapatnam Port for over ₹ 5,500 crore. ''The Hindu BusinessLine,'' Retrieved from www.thehindubusinessline.com [https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/adani-to-buy-70-stake-in-krishnapatnam-port-for-over-5500-crore/article29131577.ece] [https://web.archive.org/web/20190921143122/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/adani-to-buy-70-stake-in-krishnapatnam-port-for-over-5500-crore/article29131577.ece]</ref>

==Etymology==
{{Empty section|date=August 2023}}

==History==
The history of Vizhinjam dates back to The [[Ay dynasty]]. Before the [[Cheras]] established themselves as a major force in [[Kerala]], it was ruled by the [[Ay dynasty]] sometime between 7th to 11th century AD with Vizhinjam as the capital.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/vizhinjam-in-historical-perspective/article7468781.ece/amp/&ved=2ahUKEwjYw8TPxYT0AhXwxDgGHU0sDrgQFnoECAQQBQ&usg=AOvVaw1A1-qhCGAuaE6DKCbs1-sR&ampcf=1|title=Vizhinjam in historical perspective|
work=The Hindu|access-date=7 November 2021}}</ref> The Ay kingdom extended between [[Nagercoil]] and [[Thiruvalla]]. During the second [[Sangam period]] (circa 850–1400 AD),the region was the scene of many battles between the [[Kulashekhara]] and the [[Cholas]] and Vizhinjam, the capital, was sacked by the [[Cholas]].
When the kings of the [[Ay dynasty]] shifted their capital to Vizhinjam, they built a [[fort]] which is now considered to be the oldest [[fort]] in [[Kerala]] dating to the eighth or ninth century. A preliminary investigation<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/digging-up-the-past/article4298428.ece/amp/&ved=2ahUKEwjdjJ7TjoT0AhXEIbcAHcI_BZkQFnoECB8QAQ&usg=AOvVaw32rYBRle7hB6MGocd7wcWb&ampcf=1|title=Digging up the past|work=The Hindu|access-date=6 November 2021}}</ref> by a team under Dr. Ajit has revealed the fort might have originally been 800 m² in area. The fort's wall can be found on the northern and western (seaside) parts and has been constructed using large boulders set in mud mortar. The wide base of the wall tapers on its way up. Even now this part of Vizhinjam is known as Kottapuram, 'Kotta' in [[Malayalam language]] and [[Malayalam]] means Fort. According to Dr. Ajit, one important clue in dating the fort is that the walls have no battlements or `loop holes' (holes to place cannons in). This is typical of early forts, he says.
The team was also able to trace literary and epigraphical references - of 9 AD to 12 AD vintage - to a fort and port at Vizhinjam. [[Sangam literature]] such as [[Pandikkovai]], [[Iraiyanar Akapporul]] [[Kalingattuparani]] of [[Jayamkondar]], and [[Vikrama Chola]] are said to have numerous references to the existence of a fort, port and a mansion at Vizhinjam.

Moreover, the Srivaramangalam copper plate's <ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/shedding-light-on-vizhinjams-golden-past/article5981994.ece/amp/&ved=2ahUKEwi2xPmhkIT0AhUfzTgGHcOmC_kQFnoECAIQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3VxfNgmbVbW4M5eQuB4_Cf&ampcf=1|title=Shedding light on Vizhinjam's golden past|
work=The Hindu|access-date=6 November 2021}}
</ref> of [[Pandyan]] King Nedum Chadayan ( 8 AD) have clear reference to Vizhinjam and its fort. "Here, the fort is described as surrounded by waters of three seas, protected by a wide moat, high walls which the sun's rays do not touch and so on. Leaving aside the hyperbole typical of such inscriptions, the ground evidence at Vizhinjam that fits this description of the old fort. In fact the port at Vizhinjam has been mentioned in the work `The [[Periplus of the Erythraean Sea]]', a work of the first century AD. Here Vizhinjam has been called as Balita," said Dr. Ajit.

The [[Dutch people|Dutch]] had commercial establishments here. The Dutch have built a church in Vizhinjam near to the sea shore, which is still functional and is referred as the Old Vizhinjam Church (Old St. Mary's Church). It is located in the vizhinjam fishing harbour area.

As per historians, Vizhinjam, located at the extreme south-western tip of [[South Asia]], served as an important port throughout the history of the region. The location is economically and geopolitically significant as a key point connecting the shipping between [[Southeast Asia]] and the [[Middle East]].{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}

An international port at Vizhinjam was conceived as early as 1991.<ref name=":1" /> In August 2015, the Kerala government and Adani Vizhinjam Port (AVPL), representing the [[Adani Group]], signed the agreement for the Adani Vizhinjam project.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/another-extension-for-vizhinjam-port-project/article29434513.ece|title=Another extension for Vizhinjam port project?|last=Radhakrishnan|first=S. Anil|date=2019-09-17|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-09-21|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> AVPL was the only bidder for the project.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/adani-seeks-help-from-kerala-govt-on-vizhinjam-port-1.4115605|title=Adani seeks help from Kerala govt on Vizhinjam Port|website=Mathrubhumi|date=13 September 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-09-21}}</ref>

As per the details of the agreement, Adani Group is free to operate the Vizhinjam port for 40 years (extendable by 20 more years). The Kerala state government will start getting a portion of the revenue from the port after 15 years.<ref name=":4" /> The project also includes 360 acres of land (of which around 36% are reclaimed from the sea) and a railway line (around 10 km long).<ref name=":4" /> The deadline for the commission of Phase I, Adani Vizhinjam Port was fixed on 4 December 2019 in the 2015 agreement.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/150919/adani-port-seeks-time-till-october-2020.html|title=Adani Port seeks time till October, 2020|date=2019-09-15|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en|access-date=2019-09-21}}</ref><ref name=":2" />

The entire Vizhinjam project was valued at around Rs. 75.25 billion.<ref name=":3" /> The AVPL had requested a Rs 16.35 billion grant for the project from the Kerala state government.<ref name=":4" />

The project commenced on 5 December 2015.<ref name=":3" /> AVPL had announced that the "first ship will berth at Vizhinjam" on 1 September 2018 (the 1,000 days target).<ref name=":3" /> The AVPL is currently seeking an extension of the Phase I commission deadline to October 2020 from the Kerala government.<ref name=":3" />

As per a ''Reuters'' report, China had also wanted to partner with an un-named Indian company to build the port, but its overture was rejected by New Delhi on grounds of national security.<ref name=":0">Verma, Nidhi and Das, Krishna N. (28 July 2016). With eye on China, India doubles down on container hub ports. ''Reuters,'' Retrieved from in.reuters.com [https://in.reuters.com/article/india-transshipment-port-adani-idINKCN10828O] [https://web.archive.org/web/20190921143511/https://in.reuters.com/article/india-transshipment-port-adani-idINKCN10828O]</ref> It is speculated that the port will have berths for India's navy and coastguard.<ref name=":0" />

==Public protests==
There were large scale public protests against the [[Controversy|controversial]] [[Adani Group|Adani]] controlled port and the abuse of their [[human rights]] in November 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-11-28 |title=Adani Port protest in Kerala: 3,000 booked for attack on Vizhinjam police station |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/kerala-3000-booked-for-vizhinjam-police-station-attack/articleshow/95821970.cms |access-date=2023-07-21 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> [[Christian priest|Christian Priests]] led the protestors,<ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/booking-priests-unjustifiable-says-kcbc/articleshow/95815164.cms | title=Booking priests unjustifiable, says KCBC | newspaper=The Times of India | date=28 November 2022 }}</ref> who primarily belong to the dispossessed [[Fisherman|fishermen]] community. <ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/at-least-36-police-personnel-hurt-in-clashes-with-adani-port-protesters/articleshow/95819012.cms | title=At least 36 police personnel hurt in clashes with Adani port protesters | newspaper=The Times of India | date=28 November 2022 }}</ref>

==Transport==
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
! Nearest
! Name
! Distance
|-
| Airport
| [[Trivandrum International Airport]]
| {{convert|15|km}}
|-
| Railway station
| [[Neyyattinkara Railway Station|Neyyattinkara]]
| {{convert|8|km}}
|-
| Seaport
| [[Vizhinjam International Seaport]]
|| {{convert|0|km}}
|}

Regular buses operate in Vizhinjam from the City Bus Stand at [[East Fort]], [[Thiruvananthapuram|Trivandrum]] and as well as from the [[Central Bus Station Thiruvananthapuram|Central Bus Stand]] at [[Thampanoor]], [[Thiruvananthapuram|Trivandrum]]. Cabs can be also hired at the bus stations.

==See also==
* [[Vizhinjam International Seaport]]
* [[Vizhinjam rock caves|Vizhinjam Rock Caves]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Vizhinjam}}
* https://www.vizhinjamport.in/home.html

{{Thiruvananthapuram district}}
{{Thiruvananthapuram district settlements}}

[[Category:Tourist attractions in Thiruvananthapuram]]
[[Category:History of Kerala]]
[[Category:Villages in Thiruvananthapuram district]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in India]]
[[Category:Suburbs of Thiruvananthapuram]]

Vizhinjam - Revision history

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article