The Vizhinjam International Deep Water Sea Port project, though hit by delays due to disruptions caused by the pandemic, is back on track and two major milestone works will be completed and commissioned in the first two months of the new year.
A 220KV gas insulated substation is expected to be commissioned by midJanuary while a gate complex will go onstream in February, according to officials from Adani Group, which is constructing the port. The new substation will meet all the power needs of the port. Gas insulated substation uses a relatively a new technology that has a reputation for high reliability, compact dimensions and low maintenance costs. The gate complex is the part that handles cargo movement, with components such as connectivity roads and cranes.
In September 2020, the most important component of the port, the port operations building, was commissioned. It is the control-room from where all major operations of the port can be remotely controlled.
Meanwhile, the breakwater construction is going at a slow place owing to the shortage of sufficient boulders. The officials said while they used to get 10,000 metric tonnes of boulders per day before, several factors, including natural calamities and the Covid-induced lockdown have brought down the availability of boulders to just 3,000 to 5,000 metric tonnes.