Kerala Invites Proposals for Social Impact Study on Vizhinjam Port Expansion

The Kerala government has formally initiated the process to evaluate the socio-economic implications of the upcoming development phases for the Vizhinjam international seaport. Officials have invited Expressions of Interest (EoI) from qualified agencies to conduct a comprehensive social impact study (SIS) concerning the second, third, and fourth phases of the project.

Objective of the Study

The primary goal of the proposed assessment is to identify and analyze potential disruptions to livelihoods in the vicinity of the port. According to government statements, the study will focus on:

• Evaluating potential losses of employment for local communities.
• Assessing impacts on fishers, small-scale traders, and tourism sector workers.
• Identifying specific challenges faced by residents in project-affected areas, including Vizhinjam, Adimalathura, Jubilee Nagar, Pulinkudi, and Ambalathumoola.

Eligibility and Submission Requirements

Agencies wishing to participate must be legally registered in India and currently empanelled in Thiruvananthapuram district to conduct social impact studies under the Land Acquisition Act. Additional requirements include:

• A minimum of five years of operational experience.
• Possession of valid PAN and GST registrations.
• Capability to manage digital data, perform GIS analysis, and conduct field surveys in the Malayalam language.

Preference will be granted to firms with a background in infrastructure projects and coastal livelihood sectors. Applicants must not be currently blacklisted or under government-imposed bans.

How to Apply

Interested organizations must submit their proposals to the Subcollector and chairperson of the Rehabilitation Implementation Committee (RIC) by November 13. For further details, including the Terms of Reference (ToR), stakeholders can visit the official district website at https://trivandrum.nic.in/en/ or contact the office at 7902929315.