As the Vizhinjam International Seaport edges closer to completion, the coastal town is preparing to not just welcome a new era of maritime trade but also to celebrate its visionary past.
The first formal proposal for a modern port at Vizhinjam dates back to the mid-1940s, when C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer, then Diwan of Travancore, recognized the strategic importance of the natural harbour and ordered a feasibility survey. However, despite the promising vision, the plan stalled—no official invite was issued to key stakeholders, and the idea faded into the background.
Now, decades later, with the port finally taking shape, historians, civic leaders, and local residents are coming together to honour Vizhinjam’s long-overlooked maritime legacy. From cultural programs and exhibitions to public awareness initiatives, efforts are underway to reconnect the port’s modern future with its historical roots.
The move aims to spotlight the visionaries of the past—especially figures like Ramaswamy Iyer—who first imagined Vizhinjam as a gateway to the world. As the town prepares to transform into a global shipping hub, its journey from a dream of the 1940s to a 21st-century reality is finally receiving the recognition it deserves.
