Kerala seeks agencies for social impact study of Vizhinjam port expansion

Kerala government has opened expressions of interest for agencies to carry out a social impact study on the second, third and fourth phases of the Vizhinjam international seaport. The study will gauge potential loss of jobs and livelihoods that may arise as the port expands, focusing on fishers, tourism workers and small‑scale traders. It will also map the specific challenges these groups face. The assessment will cover the coastal pockets of Vizhinjam, Adimalathura, Jubilee Nagar, Pulinkudi and Ambalathumoola. Interested firms must send their EoI to the Sub‑collector and the chairperson of the Rehabilitation Implementation Committee by 13 November. Only agencies already empanelled in Thiruvananthapuram district for social impact studies under the Land Acquisition Act are eligible. Applicants must be legally registered Indian entities with at least five years of operational experience, valid PAN and GST registrations, and no government ban or blacklist status. Preference will be given to firms with prior work on social impact assessments, infrastructure projects and coastal‑livelihood sectors, as well as those skilled in surveys, digital data management, GIS analysis and field work in Malayalam. Full terms of reference are posted on the official website https://trivandrum.nic.in/en/, and further enquiries can be made by calling 7902929315.

Context

Social impact studies are a statutory step before large infrastructure projects in India to ensure affected communities are identified and compensated. The Vizhinjam port, already operational, is being expanded to boost trade, making the assessment of local livelihoods a critical precaution.