Kottayam Port and Container Terminal Services (KPACT), a State-notified minor port, has proposed developing a 180-km inland waterway corridor connecting Kottayam’s Inland Container Depot (ICD) with the international seaport at Vizhinjam, Kerala, to establish an alternative logistics route.
The proposed waterway is expected to cover the distance between Kottayam and Vizhinjam in approximately 12–14 hours, offering an alternative mode of cargo transportation through inland waterways.
The route includes 17 bridges, with a major lock system scheduled to be installed at the Thrikkunnapuzha bridge by December 2026. The facility is expected to enable the smooth passage of container barges along the corridor. The waterway currently has an approximate depth of two metres along the route, making it navigable for barge operations.
KPACT has completed the preliminary survey of the proposed corridor. The secondary survey is expected to commence by January 2027, following consultations with the Kerala Government.
According to senior port officials, the project is not expected to require any significant financial expenditure from the State Government.
If implemented, the proposed corridor could strengthen inland waterway connectivity between Kottayam and Vizhinjam, provide an alternative cargo movement option and improve multimodal logistics connectivity to Kerala’s international maritime gateway.