KOCHI: In the wake of more international cruise liners calling on it in the last couple of years, the Cochin Port Trust (CPT) will set up a modern cruise terminal having the capacity to handle 5,000 passengers at Ernakulam wharf. The terminal will offer state-of-the-art facilities to tourists visiting the state. Recently, CPT issued a work order for the terminal, whose construction will be completed by February 2020.
“The facilities inside the terminal include a passenger lounge, crew lounge, 30 immigration counters, eight customs clearance counters, seven security check counters, Wi-Fi, tourist information counter, duty-free shopping, mini conference hall, gaming zone and banks among others,” said an official release. “The total estimate for the terminal is Rs 25.72 crore, of which Rs 21.41 crore has been sanctioned by Ministry of Tourism,” said the release, quoting CPT chairman in-charge A V Ramana.
“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. The CPT has been promoting cruise tourism in Kochi as a social obligation to support the local economy,” said the statement.
“Though it is not gaining much from the handling of cruise lines due to the heavily subsidised tariff, CPT has been highly beneficial to the local tourism trade and the economy as it is estimated every cruise tourist spend an average $400 per day during local visits. To support local trade, CPT has been offering space to local tourism entrepreneurs inside the wharf during cruise arrivals,” it said.
At present, cruise vessels up to 260 m long are handled at the BTP berth and Samudrika, the cruise passenger facilitation centre. Longer vessels are handled at the Ernakulam wharf where the new terminal is coming up. The CPT is also developing other tourism infrastructure in the area, including developing Samudrika, the cruise passenger facilitation centre for Rs 4.61 crore, developing 2.1 km waterside walkway between BOT bridge and Kannaghat bridge in Willingdon Island for Rs 9.01 crore. It is also developing dedicated cruise berthing facilities at BTP for Rs 21.39 crore.