Perking up the Valiathura pier

The Ports Department has announced measures for renovating the pier which stands as a reminder of Kerala's maritime history
Perking up the Valiathura pier
Perking up the Valiathura pier

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ravaged by time, it is one spot on the coast where visitors ignore the ‘Danger’ sign-board to get a little more closer to the sea, despite the authorities declaring it off-limits on multiple occasions. The Valiathura pier, a disused concrete structure which sticks out into the sea, today stands as a reminder of the rich maritime history of this part of the state. Now, the Ports Department has announced measures for renovating the pier and throwing it open it to the public.

The Ports Department has approached reputed agencies for suggestions for strengthening the structure which fell into disuse many decades ago. “A proposal to re-open the pier for visitors after renovating it is under the consideration of the government. We have asked for suggestions from agencies with necessary expertise for determing the technology for strengthening the pier,” Ports Minister Ramachandran Kadannapally informed the Assembly in a written reply.

Steps would be taken to strengthen the 60-year-old concrete structure once the suggestions are submitted, he said.  The pier is 214 metres in length, and years ago, it was a busy port of call for small ships.

Valiathura’s former glory

Inaugurated in 1956 by Dr P S Rau, it was the only port in this part of Kerala at that time. It stands on 127 concrete piles, and once upon a time, had five cranes for unloading cargo. Valiathura lost its significance with the emergence of Kochi as a major port. Kochi could handle bigger ships whereas they had to berth off Valiathura.   The existing pier is not the first one at Valiyathura, though. An older one, constructed in 1825, had been destroyed after the steamer SS Pandit rammed it in 1947.

The destruction of the wood and metal pier had adversely impacted the economy in this region and there was a huge hue and cry for rebuilding the pier. This led to the commissioning of the concrete pier in 1956. In February 2014, a local forum, Friends of Marine Life, had discovered that the remnants of the older pier and the machinery on it, including a boiler, were still lying on the seabed next to the new pier.

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