Vizhinjam port operator plans cruise village, seeks 20 acres

Thiruvananthapuram: Vizhinjam International Seaport is set to add a major tourism component with plans for a global-standard cruise village, as port operator Adani Vizhinjam Port Pvt Ltd (AVPPL) approached state govt seeking about 20 acres near the port to establish the facility.The company submitted a formal proposal to ports minister V N Vasavan, ports department secretary and Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL), and it is currently under consideration, said sources. However, officials indicated that a final decision may take time as the announcement of the assembly election schedule is expected soon. An agreement is also unlikely before the elections.The cruise village is being planned as part of a long-term development strategy of the port, said sources close to the development. "The proposal is under govt's consideration. The facility is expected to come up along with the completion of the subsequent phases of port development so that cruise tourism can be integrated with port's operations," the source said.Industry observers believe that the development could position Vizhinjam as a cruise tourism gateway on international sea routes connecting the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Europe.The cruise village will function as a dedicated passenger hub for international cruise liners calling at Vizhinjam. Sources said a multi-purpose berth being developed at the port will be capable of handling cruise vessels too. However, the port's design during capacity augmentation hadn't included a cruise terminal.The proposed facility will include immigration and customs clearance counters, passenger lounges, baggage handling systems and security infrastructure required for international travellers. A bus terminal will also be developed within the complex to ferry passengers to major tourist destinations across the city and nearby areas.The facility is expected to provide easy access to attractions such as beaches of Kovalam, heritage sites in Thiruvananthapuram and cultural landmarks across the district. The cruise village is also expected to feature a tourism-focused marketplace showcasing locally made products, handicrafts and souvenirs. Globally, cruise villages typically function as integrated tourism zones that combine transport facilities, retail outlets, restaurants, cultural spaces, and tourist information centres in a single waterfront complex. Many also include entertainment zones, food courts featuring local cuisine, currency exchange services, medical facilities and guided tour counters to assist passengers during their visits. Currently, India has four major cruise terminals at Mumbai, Goa, Kochi and Chennai.The deep-water port, developed under a public-private partnership model, is India's first dedicated container transshipment terminal and is being built in multiple phases. Once completed, the port is expected to emerge as a major maritime hub in the region while also opening up new opportunities in tourism, logistics and related sectors.