The dream of legendary Muziris Port would come true soon with the state government preparing a master plan for the project.
A detailed master plan for the project has been prepared after holding a feasibility study at the Azhikode coastal area near Kodungallur. Based on the study, a technical master plan has been prepared now, said V S Sunilkumar MLA.
The port is sought to be developed under the coastal shipping project on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis with public private participation.
The land acquisition drive has begun at the proposed site.
In the first phase, facilities like cargo wharf, container terminal, dry dockyard, children’s park, bunkering services, maritime museum, shopping complex and among other things will be set up at the 60 acres of land set aside for the project on the banks of Kanjirapuzha, he said.
Minister for Shipping and Ports K Babu on Saturday said that the government has prepared an action plan in order to shift 20 per cent of the cargo movement through the roads to coastal shipping by 2015.
As part of the project, six minor ports will be developed in the first phase to enhance coastal shipping services, which include Vizhinjam, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kodungalloor in Thrissur district, Beypore in Kozhikode district and Azheekal in Kasargod district.
Muziris, where history merrily walks hand-in-hand with the culture, is an ancient port town near Kodunagllur which lost its glory centuries ago.
The port had played a key role in boosting the trade ties between southern India and emperors from West.
The merchants from the state had also instituted trade ties with Jews, Arabs, Portuguese, Dutch, Chinese, British, Greek Roman Egyptian and many other travellers by making use of the ancient port at Muziris.