Cochin preparing to handle 5,000 tourists at Ernakulum Wharf of Cochin Port

Kochi Port Trust will build a new cruise terminal endowed with a capacity to manage 5,000 tourists at Ernakulum Wharf of Kochi Port. The port trust has already ordered the contractor to kick-start the construction work of the cruise terminal that is sheduled to be completed by 2020.
According to news reports, the Terminal extending as wide as 2,253 sq m in area would have facilities such as crew lounge, passenger lounge, 8 customs clearance counters, 7 security check counters, 30 immigration counters, WiFi, duty free shopping, tourist information counter, souvenir/artefact/curio shops, book store, mini conference hall, medical care, gaming zone, ATM/bank services, foreign exchange counter, luggage counter, cafeteria, toilets, parking area for buses, wheelchairs, cars, trolleys and more.

News has it that the Ministry of Tourism has approved funding of INR 25.72 crore, out if which, INR 21.41 crore has already been granted by the ministry. Presently, cruise vessels as long as 260 m are taken care of at the cruise passenger facilitation centre - BTP berth and Samudrika. On the other hand, cruise vessels that are longer than 250 m are being handled at Ernakulam Wharf. This is the why a new cruise terminal has been planned at the Ernakulam Wharf.
The Kochi Port Trust has been getting full support from Ministry of Tourism in the development of tourism infrastructure in the port area. Funds have been allocated for developing Samudrika, cruise passenger facilitation centre, 2.1 km-long waterside walkway from BOT bridge to Kannaghat bridge in Willingdon Island, and also cruise berthing facilities at BTP.

Reportedly, the Ministry of Shipping and Ministry of Tourism have collaborated to plan a lot of initiatives in order to encourage cruise tourism in India.

Since, Kochi holds a significant place among the major cruise tourism destinations in India, it has been receiving about 40 cruise liners each year that have thousands of foreign tourists on-board.