President's Message

Dear Members,

TCCI has been providing comprehensive support to its Members including intervention in various business, industrial and development issues that have reinvigorated the business and industrial sectors of the Capital City and Region.

Our contribution for the development of Thiruvananthapuram International Airport has enhanced Domestic and International connectivity resulting in an increase in flights, which has gone up from 40 to 104 with 15,000 passengers travelling a day as against 5000 pre-privatisation. We are also coordinating with the Government to acquire additional land to satisfy the Statutory requirements of the Runway End Safety Area (RESA).

A historic moment was witnessed with the flagging in of the first ship to Vizhinjam Port, carrying the first of the 32 cranes.    All 31 other cranes have been erected, with the breakwater and berth completed. The trial ship is expected by the end of June. The second and third Phase of the Vizhinjam is expected to take off soon. TCCI played a proactive role in overcoming protests and other obstacles to ensure the project's success, which is nearing Commissioning.

On railway development and metro initiatives, our efforts have led to the development of Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station, Trivandrum North-Kochuveli, and Trivandrum South-Nemom Terminal. We have intervened and raised our concerns about the proposal by KMRL to downgrade our Metro Project to a LightTram Metro, especially when all studies have been completed for a Metro. We have also taken up the issue with the Railway about the possibility to take two AC bogies to the Jan Shatabdi Express to be run on a pro-rata basis after refurbishment.

Persistently we are following up for the several Highway Road Projects connecting the Capital District, ensuring improved infrastructure and connectivity.

Suggestions that need to be included in their respective Election Manifesto for the development of Trivandrum were given to all the Political Parties and also engaged them in the Meet the Candidate Program.

 

Today, TCCI is looked on by the Public to advocate and guide the development activities related to the Capital City, District and Region. Our sincere efforts are further affirmed by the Media giving importance to our role and the Government seeking our involvement and support in all the related area.

The recognition to our work was acknowledged recently by the Trivandrum Management Association (TMA) with the ‘Trivandrum Development Award’ which was received from the Hon’ble Governor, Shri Arif Mohammed Khan. This Award is dedicated to all the Citizens of Trivandrum who stood and supported TCCI, TATF and Awake Trivandrum for all our development initiatives.

A Chamber of Commerce is an important fabric for any City and we have been able to live up to the expectations at the National and International levels, as evidenced by our interactions with the US Consul General, the Yukon Delegates of Canada, Members of the Soft Power Club from Italy under the leadership of India’s G20 Sherpa and former NITI Aayog CEO Shri Amitabh Kant IAS(Retd), Hon’ble Member of NITI Aayog Dr. Arvind Virmani, and the Dubai Chamber of Commerce. The invitations to enter into MOUs with various International Chambers of Commerce are being processed and will be executed soon. We propose to visit UAE and other countries for this and also to attract Investments to Trivandrum and invite them to be our Members.

Despite an increased in Membership Fee to ensure the quality of the Members, we have successfully added 19 new Members during this term, reflecting the growing trust and confidence in TCCI's leadership and vision.

From our activities over the past years, we are confident to say that TCCI has played a pivotal role in steering the growth and development of the Capital City and Region. Our unwavering commitment to our Members and Public to enhance connectivity, Infrastructure development have started paving the way to make Trivandrum as an Investment destination.

Together, we will build a sustainable Capital City and Region and strive for even greater accomplishments in the years to come.

 

Sincerely yours,

SN Raghuchandran Nair 

President, TCCI