OUTER HARBOUR AT KOCHI PLANNED

Kochi port is likely to call an expression of interest for its outer harbour project soon, to move all future port related activities to a new area.

Conceptual studies by IIT, Madras, and modelling by Central Water and Power Research Station, Pune, show that the intensity of sea erosion in Kochi’s western coast can be reduced significantly if two break waters, each extending 6 km into the sea, are put up at the port’s mouth.

The break waters can also be leveraged to develop the outer harbour in approximately 2,600 acres west of Puthuvypeen and 650 acres off Fort Kochi.

The 2,600 acres that could be reclaimed inside northern breakwater has been earmarked for the development of anyone of the following projects: Export Oriented Refinery Unit, Oil Trading Hub, Offshore Rig Fabrication Facility, Free Trade Warehousing Zone or Ultra Mega Power Plant.

Cochin Port has now invited an Expression Interest for setting up of Export Oriented Oil Refinery or / and Oil Trading Hub in this 2,600 acres of area.

The Indian Navy has evinced interest in the reclamation of 650 acres inside the southern breakwater.  There are also plans to connect this area with the Fort Kochi area through a 1.7 KM long bridge, which could be a landmark tourist attraction for Cochin.