Foundation laid for int'l cruise terminal at Cochin Port

The foundation stone for the International Cruise Terminal at the Ernakulam Wharf of Cochin Port was laid by Union Tourism Minister Alphons Kannanthanam here today.

The function held at Ernakulam Wharf was attended by MPs K V Thomas, Richard Hay, MLAs Hibi Eden, KJ Maxi, Kochi Mayor Soumini Jain and A V Ramana, Chairman, Cochin Port Trust.

The new international cruise terminal, having 2,253 square metres area, would be equipped to handle up to 5,000 tourists.

Being one of the prime cruise tourism destinations in India, Kochi has been getting around 40 cruise liners every year bringing tens of thousands of high net worth international tourists to Kerala.

Cochin Port Trust has been promoting cruise tourism as a social obligation to support the local economy.

The Ministry of Tourism has been supporting Cochin Port Trust in developing tourism infrastructure in the port area.

This include Rs 4.61 crore for developing Samudrika, cruise passenger facilitation centre, Rs 9.01 crore for developing 2.1 kms waterside walkway between BOT bridge and Kannaghat bridge in Willingdon Island and Rs 21.39 crore for developing dedicated cruise berthing facilities at BTP.