Kochi

Karan Adani, Managing Director of Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd, announced on Friday that the Adani Group will invest Rs 30,000 crore in Kerala over the next five years. The investment will include projects such as the development of the Vizhinjam port, increasing the capacity of Thiruvananthapuram Airport, and establishing a logistics hub, among other initiatives.

"Kerala is emerging as a model of development and progress, and we at the Adani Group are honoured to be part of this journey,” Karan Adani stated during his address at the inaugural session of the two-day Invest Kerala Global Summit, which began in Kochi on Friday.

He further highlighted Kerala’s long-standing global trade legacy, stating, "Kerala’s global trade legacy dates back centuries. The ancient port of Muziris was a vital hub connecting Rome, Egypt, and China, making Kerala a centre for spice and gold trade. Today, Vizhinjam continues this rich tradition, placing India at the heart of global commerce. At the Adani Group, we are proud to contribute to this new era. Our journey with Vizhinjam port began in 2015, under the leadership of late Oommen Chandy and today under Pinarayi Vijayan’s leadership, it is becoming a reality."

Karan Adani also noted that Vizhinjam is strategically located along the world’s busiest shipping lanes and, even before its official commissioning, made history by docking the largest container vessel ever to touch Indian shores, with a capacity of 24,000 containers.

The Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd MD shared that the Adani Group has already invested Rs 5,000 crore in Vizhinjam and is committing an additional Rs 20,000 crore. "This is not only India’s first transhipment hub, but our vision is to make Vizhinjam the largest transhipment port in this part of the region," he added.

In addition to port development, Karan Adani mentioned plans to expand the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, increasing its capacity from 4.5 million to 12 million passengers, with an investment of Rs 5,500 crore. "We will also be setting up a Logistics and E-Commerce hub in Kochi, and also increase our cement capacity in Kochi," he revealed.

He commended Kerala for its ongoing transformation, saying, "The state has emerged as a leader in Ease of Doing Business and a global startup hub, a testament to your (Pinarayi Vijayan) administration’s vision. Beyond business, Kerala is a model for human development. The LIFE project has provided lakhs of houses for the underprivileged, and Kerala’s disaster management capabilities are admired across India."

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Karan Adani also linked the development of Kerala to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Viksit Bharat, noting that India is advancing toward unparalleled economic and infrastructural growth. "A developed India requires strong regional economies, and Kerala is a prime example of how strategic investments can fuel progress," he said.

Citing the words of the Adani Group’s Chairman, Gautam Adani, Karan Adani concluded, "The infrastructure sector is all about building assets for the nation and nation-building. Kerala is emerging as a model of development and progress, and we at the Adani Group are honoured to be part of this journey."