An inland waterway proposed to connect Kottayam port with Vizhinjam

View of Kottayam harbor. | Photo credit: VISHNU PRATHAP

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

The proposal comes just months before the port is set to launch its cargo service to Kochi. Discussions have already taken place with the Minister of Industry and officials of the Department of Inland Waterways, who have extended their support to the project. With the state government deciding to appoint the ports secretary as the chairman of Kottayam port and the director general of the Kerala Maritime Board as its board member, talks with the Vizhinjam port authorities are expected to pick up pace. The port authorities plan to discuss the proposal with Chief Minister VD Satheesan soon.

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

Kottayam Port is located close to National Waterway 9 and can connect to National Waterway 3 (Kollam-Kottappuram) via Munroe Island and Ashtamudi Lake. From there, boats can ply 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.

Lock system

The 180 km journey from Kottayam to Vizhinjam is expected to take 12 to 14 hours. The route has 17 bridges, with the main navigation system to be installed at Thrikkunnapuzha Bridge by December. This will allow container boats to pass through without difficulty. The waterway maintains a depth of around two meters along the route, making it navigable for boats.

“The preliminary survey has been completed while the secondary survey is expected to start by January next year after consultation with the state government. The project will not involve any significant expenditure on the government. A foreign investor has expressed willingness to invest ₹100 crore in the port in four installments. Part of it will be used to build a barge to transport containers to Vizhinjam,” said a senior port official.

In addition to the acquisition of a new barge, the investment will be used to expand the port’s infrastructure, including the construction of a paved yard and the installation of a crane, berth and stacker.

Meanwhile, the port has already started transporting containers to Vizhinjam under an arrangement with the customs department for transshipment. The arrangement allows goods to be cleared in Kottayam before being transported to Vizhinjam, helping businesses save time and money.

Published – 31 Oct 2026 18:19 IST