Inland waterway proposed to link Kottayam port with Vizhinjam

A view of the Kottayam port.

In a move that could open up a new inland logistics route to Vizhinjam, Kottayam port has proposed a 180-km waterway corridor linking the country’s first inland container depot with the international seaport.

The proposal comes just months before the port is set 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. With the State government deciding to appoint the Ports Secretary as chairman of Kottayam port and the CEO of the Kerala Maritime Board as a member of its board, talks with Vizhinjam port authorities are also expected to gather pace. The port authorities are planning to discuss the proposal with Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan soon.

The project envisages transporting containers from Kottayam to Vizhinjam through National Waterways 9 and 3, before entering the Arabian Sea through the Valiyazheekkal breakwaters.

Located close to National Waterway 9, Kottayam port can connect to National Waterway 3 (Kollam-Kottappuram) through Munroe Island and Ashtamudi Lake. From there, barges can navigate the Pampa river, passing Ambalappuzha, Thottappally and Thrikkunnapuzha, before reaching Valiyazheekkal in Kayamkulam Lake. They can then 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, with a major lock system scheduled to be installed at the Thrikkunnapuzha bridge by December. This will allow container barges to pass through without difficulty. The waterway maintains a depth of around two metres along the route, making it navigable for barges.

“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.

Besides procuring a new barge, the investment will be used to expand the port’s infrastructure, including the development of a paved yard and the installation of a crane, berth and reach stacker.

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