Vizhinjam to be beneficial for Kochi too? Vizhinjam - Vallarpadam rail connection to boost freight movement

KOCHI: Connecting the defunct Vallarpadam railway line with Vizhinjam would rejuvenate the movement of goods. The possibility of this is being examined. Discussions have already begun between the Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) and the Cochin Port Authority to give a new lease of life to the line.

The railway line to the Vallarpadam terminal, which is part of the Cochin Port, was commissioned in 2011. However, only a few goods trains have passed through so far. The remarkable achievement was that eight trains ran in a week when the roads were closed due to Covid. Later, it was reduced to one per week.

Now the railway line is stationary. The main reason for the decline in popularity is the high rates by the operator Container Corporation. It is more expensive than container movement by road. The Railway Minister had recently directed to make the rates consumer-friendly.

The shallow Cochin port is used for transporting goods in small ships. Meanwhile, international business will be concentrated in Vizhinjam as motherships will be anchored there. In this situation, the Cochin port will rely more on domestic coastal cargo movement.

The central and state governments have announced that they will increase connectivity between the ports by water and land. There are Sagarmala and Gati Shakti projects for this. The Bengaluru and Coimbatore industrial corridors are also being prepared. This is sure to significantly increase the cargo traffic between Vizhinjam and Kochi ports. Those in the field are of the opinion that there should also be a tourism connection between the two routes.

Vallarpadam rail with 4.62 km overbridge

• The Vallarpadam railway line is built across the Vembanad Lake
• 8.86 km from Edappally to Vallarpadam. Of this, 4.62 kms is over the lake
• The second largest rail overbridge in India. The cost of the overbridge alone is 350 crores

The Vallarpadam rail line will also be saved via Vizhinjam port. Proposals have been submitted to the Port Authority.

- Varghese K George, President,

Kerala Steamer Agents Assoc.