From 20 July to 6 December 2022, fisherfolk led by the Latin Catholic Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram protested against the Adani-built Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala, saying its construction was worsening coastal erosion. A sit-in at the port gate halted work for more than 100 days despite Kerala High Court orders. After clashes on 26 November and an attack on the Vizhinjam police station on 27 November, the stir was called off on 6 December with its main demand, a halt to construction, rejected. The port began operating in 2024 and was dedicated to the nation in May 2025.
Key takeaways
- A sit-in led by the Latin Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram at the gate of the Adani-built Vizhinjam port stopped construction for more than 100 days in 2022, despite Kerala High Court orders.
- Protesters said the port was worsening coastal erosion. The LDF government said no study showed this, and its expert committee later reported no significant impact.
- After clashes on 26 November 2022, police named Archbishop Thomas J Netto first accused. On 27 November a crowd attacked the Vizhinjam police station; reports put police injuries at 12 to 36.
Background: the port and the 2015 deal
The Vizhinjam seaport, south of Thiruvananthapuram, is a public-private partnership run through the state company Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL). Under the model, the state builds the breakwater, reclaims land and provides road and rail links, and the private partner builds and runs the port for 40 years Down To Earth.
Adani Ports and SEZ was the only bidder when the final deadline closed in April 2015. The CPI(M) and CPI, then in opposition, raised corruption charges over the award Down To Earth. The Congress-led UDF government of Oommen Chandy signed the 40-year concession agreement in August 2015, with the project cost put at Rs 7,525 crore. Then opposition leader V S Achuthanandan alleged the project was a total sellout Gulf Times. Adani Vizhinjam Port began construction on 5 December 2015 LiveLaw.
The port was due to open on 3 December 2019, but cyclones, granite shortages and local protests delayed it TNM. By 2022 the CPI(M)-led LDF government of Pinarayi Vijayan was pressing for completion. Adani told the High Court the project was 80% complete and that the state bore 67% of its cost LiveLaw.
How it started
The protest was organised by the Vizhinjam Action Council under the Latin Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram. It began on 20 July 2022 in front of the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram. On 16 August it moved to the entrance of the port construction area at Mulloor Onmanorama.
On 19 August hundreds of fisherfolk, mainly women from nearby hamlets, knocked down barricades and entered the project site. Priests and police brought them back to the protest venue Deccan Herald.
The seven demands and the government's replies
The charter, with the government's replies as of December 2022, was Onmanorama Onmanorama:
- Halt construction and study erosion: stop the port work and commission a study of its effect on the coast, with locals nominated by the protesters. Government's position An expert committee will report in three months; "the construction of the port will not be stopped".
- Permanent solution to sea erosion. Government: shore protection measures are being carried out, and further steps will follow the expert report.
- Rent for those who lost homes: free temporary housing for families displaced by the sea. Government: Rs 5,500 a month, paid to 151 of 284 families by December, and flats planned at Muttathara.
- Minimum wages on bad-weather days when fishers cannot go to sea. Government: aid, free ration and kits will continue as before.
- Fix the Muthalapozhi fishing harbour. Government: a central research station has been asked to report.
- Cut the price of kerosene and raise the subsidy. Government: the Centre fixes kerosene prices; a subsidy will be offered for switching to engines using other fuels.
- Quick compensation for fishers hurt in sea accidents, and rehabilitation for all families affected by erosion.
On 22 August a cabinet sub-committee offered 10 acres at Muttathara for flats and rent for 335 families in relief camps. Auxiliary Bishop R Christudas said: "We want action, not promises" Onmanorama.
The erosion question
Claim · Protesters The Church and fisherfolk said port construction was causing large-scale erosion north of Vizhinjam, at Valiyathura, Shanghumugham and nearby villages, and that hundreds of homes had been lost to the sea South First. In court, their counsel cited a judicial commission finding that the port was causing erosion nearby LiveLaw.
Government's position On 25 August Vijayan told the Archbishop that the project had completed all required environmental and social impact studies, that there was no proof construction caused erosion, and that climate change was to blame South First. Its 6 October 2022 order setting up an expert committee said shoreline monitoring under the National Green Tribunal had found no port-caused erosion Onmanorama. Adani and the state both denied that the port was causing environmental damage Reuters via Deccan Herald.
Documented The four-member committee, chaired by M D Kudale, a former additional director of the Central Water and Power Research Station, submitted its final report in March 2024. Its findings, released through an RTI reply, said construction had no significant impact on coastal erosion or fish production. It said erosion north of Kovalam had been going on for 30 to 40 years, but urged rehabilitation of displaced Valiyathura residents, repairs to sea walls and groynes, and a mechanism for compensation South First. A people's study panel set up by the Action Council, whose report was released in November 2023, raised serious concerns about the project's environmental and socio-economic impact South First.
The High Court orders
Adani Vizhinjam Port and its contractor, Howe Engineering Projects, asked the Kerala High Court for police protection. After an interim order in August Bar and Bench, Justice Anu Sivaraman allowed the petitions on 1 September, ordering protection for workers and free entry and exit at the site, and said the state could seek central help if needed LiveLaw.
A right to protest can only mean a right to protest peacefully and there can be no right to obstruct the legally permitted project or activity in the guise of a protest whatever be the reason for the protest.
Kerala High Court, Justice Anu Sivaraman, 1 September 2022 (LiveLaw)
Adani then filed a contempt petition, and in early October the court asked for the protest tents at the gate to be removed Onmanorama. On 22 November the court said the police and central forces were "not powerless", and recorded the protesters' assurance that heavy vehicles would not be blocked LiveLaw.
Counter-protests
Groups backing the port organised too, including a local "People Collective of Mulloor" LiveLaw. The Nair Service Society, the SNDP Yogam and Vaikunda Swami Dharma Pracharana held counter-protests, according to the Indian Express as cited by India Infra Hub India Infra Hub. On 30 November the Hindu Aikya Vedi marched to Vizhinjam in defiance of police restrictions and was stopped before the protest site Deccan Herald UCA News. Protest convenor Fr Michael Thomas warned of "attempts from different quarters to give a communal color to our protest" UCA News.
Timeline
Protest begins
The Action Council starts the agitation at the Secretariat Onmanorama.
Sit-in at the port gate
The protest moves to the site entrance, and work stops.
High Court orders protection
Police protection and free access ordered for the site LiveLaw.
Boats burned
Fisherfolk set fire to boats at Mulloor on the 100th day SabrangIndia.
Clashes and police station attack
Trucks blocked and stones thrown at the gate; the police station is besieged the next night Onmanorama.
Stir called off
After talks with the Chief Minister Onmanorama.
The violence of 26 and 27 November
On 26 November, after more than 100 days of stoppage, Adani resumed work. Protesters blocked trucks at the gate, despite their assurance to the court four days earlier. An Adani spokesperson told PTI work had been halted for 102 days India Infra Hub. Protesters and port supporters threw stones at each other. Police registered cases against both groups LiveLaw.
In the FIR over that day, police named Archbishop Thomas J Netto as first accused, Auxiliary Bishop Christudas Rajappan as second and convenor Fr Eugene Pereira as third. Police alleged a conspiracy by the Archdiocese leadership. Onmanorama reported that none of the first 15 named was at the venue when the violence began Onmanorama. The charges included criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly and rioting Tribune.
On the night of 27 November, after police detained five men over the previous day's violence, a crowd surrounded the Vizhinjam police station. Police vehicles, including about 20 two-wheelers, were damaged South First. Police used tear gas and grenades. Onmanorama reported that some protesters blocked ambulances carrying injured police for a time, and a local TV camera operator was attacked Onmanorama SabrangIndia.
Injury figures varied by source:
- Police: at least 12 in early ground reports Onmanorama; 29 per a special branch officer quoted by PTI SabrangIndia; about 35 per Deccan Herald Deccan Herald; at least 36, two critically, per South First South First.
- Protesters: at least 30 per South First; around 20 per another report cited by SabrangIndia; 90 per UCA News UCA News.
Police registered an FIR against 3,000 unnamed people, including women and children, under IPC sections including 120-B and 353 and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. It said the crowd held officers hostage and threatened to burn them alive, and put the loss at Rs 85 lakh TNM SabrangIndia. By 30 November, 163 cases had been registered, said DIG R Nishanthini, adding that extremist involvement could not be confirmed Deccan Herald.
Both accounts
The Church's and protesters' account
Fr Eugene Pereira said police had provoked the fishermen by detaining a man not involved on 26 November, then detaining four others who went to ask about him. SabrangIndia quoted the protesters' side as saying the "violence was scripted by the ruling party with help of the BJP". Pereira demanded a judicial probe SabrangIndia. Netto said they never sought to scrap the project, only to pause work until concerns were addressed Deccan Herald.
Police and government account
City Police Commissioner Sparjan Kumar said there was no provocation from the police Deccan Herald. Ports Minister Ahamed Devarkovil said the protesters had breached their assurance to the High Court SabrangIndia. Vijayan said on 1 December that "certain agitators had switched to the path of violence with a clear intention to destroy the tranquillity in the society", and praised police restraint PTI via South First.
Claim · Adani Adani told the court the protests had caused "immense loss" and "considerable delay" Reuters via Deccan Herald, and estimated the loss at about Rs 200 crore Deccan Herald.
Opposition Leader V D Satheesan of the Congress, whose UDF did not want construction stopped either, said the FIR against the Archbishop was unacceptable Tribune Onmanorama. In the same week a priest leading the protest made a remark about Fisheries Minister V Abdurahiman's name, after the minister called the protest anti-national. Police registered a case against the priest over the remark; he apologised, calling it a slip of the tongue, and the Church expressed regret Deccan Herald Onmanorama.
The settlement of 6 December 2022
On the 140th day, the Action Council called off the agitation. According to Onmanorama Onmanorama:
- The demand to halt construction was rejected, as was a local representative on the expert committee.
- Monthly rent stayed at Rs 5,500. The Council wanted Rs 8,000; the state offered to seek the difference from Adani's CSR funds, which the Council refused.
- No rise in the kerosene subsidy, but a one-time 50% subsidy to switch from kerosene engines.
- No new wage support for bad-weather days.
- A monitoring cell chaired by the Chief Secretary to track the agreement.
- No assurance on withdrawing cases against the clergy.
We are not fully satisfied with what has come to pass. Our major demand that the study should be conducted only after the construction is stopped is still left unresolved.
Fr Eugene Pereira, Action Council convenor, 6 December 2022 (Onmanorama)
A pastoral letter from Archbishop Netto, read in churches on 11 December, said the stir had been called off temporarily to restore peace, under pressure, and that the government had not met the community's demands Onmanorama.
Outcome
- Deaths: None reported.
- Injuries: 12 to 36 police on 27 November, depending on the source; 20 to 90 protesters reported.
- Cases: 199 cases in all; FIR against 3,000 unnamed people; Archbishop Netto first accused in the 26 November case.
- Expert panel: Kudale committee found no significant link between the port and erosion (March 2024).
- Case withdrawals: 157 of 199 cases withdrawn in March 2024.
What happened next
In March 2024 the LDF government decided to withdraw 157 of the 199 cases from the protests. The Congress said 42 cases, including those in which Archbishop Netto was named, were still pending Deccan Herald. No later report on the Archbishop's case was found.
The first mothership, Maersk's San Fernando, docked on 11 July 2024 for a trial run. The Church had said it would boycott the trial run TNM. A supplementary agreement in November 2024 settled an arbitration over delays and extended Adani's concession from 2055 to 2060 Onmanorama.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the Rs 8,800 crore port to the nation on 2 May 2025. The LDF and Congress traded claims over credit Deccan Herald. By January 2026 the port had handled 1.57 million TEUs IANS, and Phase II, extending the berth to 2,000 metres, was launched on 24 January 2026 IANS. In 2026 Mediterranean Shipping Company agreed to take a 49% stake, subject to state and central approvals Onmanorama.
By February 2025 the Kudale report had not been published in full or discussed with the coastal community. "We have been kept in the dark even as the port has entered the operational phase," a Vizhinjam fisherman told South First South First.
Questions people ask
Why did fishermen protest against the Vizhinjam port?
They said construction of the Adani port was worsening erosion along the Thiruvananthapuram coast, destroying homes and livelihoods. They wanted work stopped until an independent study was done, and rehabilitation for families who had lost homes.
Was a case filed against Archbishop Thomas Netto?
Yes. He was named first accused in the FIR over the 26 November clashes, on charges including conspiracy and rioting. The Church said he was not present. In March 2024 the Congress said his case was among those not yet withdrawn.
Does the Vizhinjam port cause coastal erosion?
The protesters say it does. The state's Kudale expert committee reported in 2024 that construction had no significant impact on erosion, though it urged sea wall repairs and rehabilitation. A Church-backed panel disagreed.
Sources
- Down To Earth: Vizhinjam port contract goes to Adanis; Chandy calls all-party meet, May 2015
- Gulf Times: Chandy hails Vizhinjam port deal, 17 Aug 2015
- Onmanorama: Explained, 7 demands raised by fisherfolk protesting at Vizhinjam, 18 Aug 2022
- Deccan Herald/PTI: Protesting fisherfolk force their way into Vizhinjam port site, 19 Aug 2022
- Onmanorama: Govt promises 10 acres for Vizhinjam fisherfolk rehabilitation, Church rejects offer, 22 Aug 2022
- South First: Kerala CM rejects demand to halt Vizhinjam port construction, 26 Aug 2022
- Bar and Bench: Kerala High Court directs police to ensure law and order at Adani Ports site, Aug 2022
- LiveLaw: Kerala High Court directs police protection to Adani Ports for Vizhinjam project, 1 Sept 2022
- Onmanorama: Panel formed to study port construction and erosion link, 7 Oct 2022
- LiveLaw: Kerala High Court says police not powerless, 22 Nov 2022
- India Infra Hub: Protestors block road to port site, stop construction vehicles, 26 Nov 2022
- Onmanorama: Anti-port agitators attack police, vandalise station, 27 Nov 2022
- South First: Violence in Vizhinjam, police register cases against 3,000, 27-28 Nov 2022
- Tribune: Port stir, 15 Latin Catholic priests booked for rioting, Nov 2022
- SabrangIndia: 3,000 booked over alleged police station attack at Vizhinjam, 28 Nov 2022
- Deccan Herald: Cases filed against 3,000 in Vizhinjam police station attack, 28 Nov 2022
- The News Minute: A day after violent clashes, Vizhinjam protesters vow to strengthen the fight, 28 Nov 2022
- LiveLaw: Kerala High Court seeks action taken report, 28 Nov 2022
- Onmanorama: NIA sleuths arrive at Vizhinjam, 163 cases registered, 30 Nov 2022
- Deccan Herald (with Reuters): Police block rally to support Vizhinjam port, 30 Nov 2022
- UCA News: India's Hindu nationalists join port fray, Dec 2022
- PTI via South First: Protests with clear intention to destroy tranquillity, says CM, 1 Dec 2022
- Onmanorama: The seven demands of Vizhinjam protesters and the govt response, 3 Dec 2022
- Deccan Herald: Kerala govt softens stand on deploying central forces at Vizhinjam, 4 Dec 2022
- Onmanorama: Vizhinjam stir called off with most demands rejected or half met, 6 Dec 2022
- Onmanorama: Stir called off temporarily, says pastoral letter, 11 Dec 2022
- Deccan Herald: Kerala CAA and Vizhinjam cases tossed as Lok Sabha polls near, 19 Mar 2024
- The News Minute: First mothership docks at Adani's Vizhinjam port, 11 July 2024
- South First: Port success vs secrecy, 5 Feb 2025
- Deccan Herald: PM Modi commissions Vizhinjam seaport, 2 May 2025
- IANS: Vizhinjam Phase II launch, 24 Jan 2026
- IANS: Vizhinjam port's swift scale-up, 5 Feb 2026
- Onmanorama: Gautam Adani eyes Vizhinjam port till 2080, 2 July 2026