Kottayam Port Plans Water Link to Vizhinjam

17 Jul 2025 CW Team

Kottayam Port and Container Terminal, India’s first inland container depot (ICD), is planning to establish inland water connectivity with Vizhinjam Port to enable efficient cargo transshipment. The proposal has received a favourable response from the Kerala government, and port authorities have held initial discussions with the Customs Commissioner. They are optimistic about achieving a minimum daily movement of 30 TEUs to Vizhinjam.

KM Roopesh Babu, General Manager of the port, noted that dredging via Thrikkunnapuzha and the Thottappally Spillway would be essential to establish this route. A recent market survey suggests that inland cargo movement could increase by approximately 2,000 TEUs per month, supporting exporters across the Central Travancore region.

The Kottayam facility could act as a customs clearance hub for international cargo, streamlining onward movement to Vizhinjam and easing congestion at the main port. Inland water connectivity is also expected to reduce road traffic, ensuring timely cargo arrivals, Babu added.

As part of its expansion, a Rs 40 million reach stacker will soon be brought in from Beypore. Since operations began in 2012, Kottayam Port has handled over 25,000 TEUs to Vallarpadam Container Transshipment Terminal, contributing Rs 920 million to government revenue through taxes. The port’s main cargo includes natural rubber, rubber mats, clinkers, and machinery.

Expansion efforts have gained momentum with a UK-based firm showing interest in investing. The proposed three-phase development, requiring Rs 200 million, includes new berths, container yards, warehouses, and handling equipment.

Though Kottayam ICD has received regulatory clearance to use inland waterways, most cargo still moves by road to Kochi. The proposed water route to Vizhinjam is seen as a strategic move to transform regional logistics and reduce highway congestion.

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

VECV Sales Rise 7.8 Per Cent In May 2026

VE Commercial Vehicles recorded sales of 7,978 units in May 2026, compared to 7,401 units in May 2025, registering growth of 7.8 per cent. This included 7,789 units from the Eicher brand and 189 units from the Volvo brand.Eicher branded trucks and buses reported sales of 7,789 units during the month, up 7.3 per cent from 7,258 units a year earlier. In the domestic commercial vehicle market, Eicher sales rose 9.1 per cent to 7,375 units from 6,758 units in May 2025.Exports declined 17.2 per cent to 414 units from 500 units in the corresponding month last year. Volvo Trucks and Volvo Buses recor..

Table Space Strengthens DESYN Leadership Team

Table Space has announced strategic leadership appointments within DESYN, its integrated Design and Build business, as it looks to strengthen operations across key enterprise and GCC markets in India. DESYN was launched as a strategic extension of Table Space’s workspace solutions portfolio to meet rising demand for agile, high-quality and rapidly deployable enterprise workspaces.Shruti Ookabhoy has joined DESYN as Executive Director and will lead the Design vertical, focusing on design capability, operational excellence and team development across markets. She brings over 22 years of experi..

Concord Associate Bags Rs 2.79 Bn Kavach Order

Concord Control Systems said its associate company, Progota India, has received a Rs 2.79 bn domestic order from Indian Railways for the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of on-board Kavach 4.0 loco equipment.The order is scheduled for execution within 12 months and strengthens Concord’s role in India’s railway safety and signalling ecosystem. Kavach is India’s indigenous automatic train protection system, designed to improve operational safety by helping prevent signal passing at danger and reducing collision risks.Gaurav Lath, Joint Managing Director, Concord Control Syst..