The long-overdue development of ports, which aims to reduce traffic congestion on roads and reduce carbon emissions during transit by diverting at least 20% of cargo from roads to coastal shipping, is expected to gain traction, with the Kerala State Budget allocating Rs. 80.13 crore to ports, lighthouses, and the shipping sector. The Ports Department will receive 69.03 crore of this total.
A total of ten crore has been up for coastal shipping, the Kerala government’s main project to relieve roads from good carriers transporting non-perishable goods in bulk. ₹41.51 crore has been allocated for logistics infrastructure development and sustainable movement of passengers and goods from Azhikal, Beypore, Kollam, Vizhinjam and Ponnani ports. In addition, Vizhinjam cargo port and Thangasseri port get ₹10 crore each.
An amount of ₹15 crore has been earmarked for the construction of a godown at Kovilakom, dredging of channel and basin and construction of a 200-m wharf, considering that Beypore is Kerala’s second largest port with respect to volume of cargo and passengers handled every year.
