Kerala's Vizhinjam port project, one of the biggest in the country, has finally been shown a green signal by the central government, informed state Ports Minister M. Vijayakumar on September 17, 2008. The biggest in Kerala, this port project had been awaiting approval for over two decades now.

Mr Vijayakumar said that it was after the Home Affairs, Defence, Environment and External Affairs ministries passed the proposal that the port project managed to get the final approval. This port project is located at Vizhinjam adjoining the popular tourist destination of Kovalam.

The idea for the Vizhinjam port project was introduced by M.V. Raghavan during the 1990s. He was the state ports minister then. But it failed to materialize at that time. This Kerala port project will be developed in two phases by Hyderabad-based Lanco Kondapalli Power Pvt Ltd in partnership with Malaysia-based Pembinaan Redzai Sdn Bhd and Lanco Infrastructure Ltd.