Kottayam Port Proposes 180-km Waterway Link to Vizhinjam Seaport

Inland waterway proposed to link Kottayam port with Vizhinjam

Kottayam port has proposed a 180-km waterway corridor linking the country’s first inland container depot with Vizhinjam international seaport. The route could open a new inland logistics link to Vizhinjam, months before Kottayam port is scheduled to launch its barge service to Kochi.

Discussions have already been held with the Industries Minister and officials of the Inland Waterways department, who have extended their support to the project.

Proposed route through Kerala’s waterways

The project envisages transporting containers from Kottayam to Vizhinjam through National Waterways 9 and 3. The proposed route would then enter the Arabian Sea through the Valiyazheekkal breakwaters.

Kottayam port is located close to National Waterway 9. It can connect to National Waterway 3, the Kollam-Kottappuram waterway, through Munroe Island and Ashtamudi Lake.

From there, container barges can navigate the Pampa river, passing Ambalappuzha, Thottappally and Thrikkunnapuzha. The route would then reach Valiyazheekkal in Kayamkulam Lake before the barges enter the Arabian Sea and proceed to Vizhinjam.

The 180-km journey from Kottayam to Vizhinjam is expected to take 12 to 14 hours. The route has 17 bridges, creating a requirement for infrastructure that will allow container barges to move through the waterway.

A major lock system is scheduled to be installed at the Thrikkunnapuzha bridge by December. The lock system will allow container barges to pass through the bridge without difficulty.

The waterway maintains a depth of around two metres along the route, making it navigable for barges.

Talks with Vizhinjam authorities

The State government has decided to appoint the Ports Secretary as chairman of Kottayam port. It has also decided to appoint the CEO of the Kerala Maritime Board as a member of the port’s board.

With these changes, talks between Kottayam port and Vizhinjam port authorities are expected to gather pace. The port authorities are planning to discuss the proposal with Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan soon.

The proposed waterway would connect the inland container depot with Vizhinjam through a chain of existing waterways, bridges, lakes and river passages. Its importance for cargo movement is linked to the planned use of barges to transport containers between the two ports.

Survey and investment plans

A preliminary survey of the project has been completed. The secondary survey is expected to begin by January next year after consultations with the State government.

“A preliminary survey has been completed, while the secondary survey is expected to begin by January next year after consultations with the State government. The project will not involve any significant expenditure for the government. A foreign investor has expressed willingness to invest ₹100 crore in the port in four instalments. A portion of this will be used to build a barge for transporting containers to Vizhinjam,” a senior port official said.

The proposed investment would also be used to expand Kottayam port’s infrastructure. The planned additions include a paved yard, a crane, a berth and a reach stacker.

The port has already begun moving containers to Vizhinjam under a transshipment bond arrangement with the Customs Department. Under the arrangement, goods can be cleared at Kottayam before being transported to Vizhinjam. The arrangement helps businesses save both time and money, according to the source.

Source: The Hindu