T’puram: The state govt plans to develop an ‘International Maritime Museum and Oceanarium’ to promote the near 2,000-year maritime legacy and marine biodiversity of Keralam.The project, to be framed as a single integrated institution with a unified governance and operating structure, is expected to get a seeding funding of Rs 50 crore.Speaking at a round table conference on flagship developmental projects, chief minister V D Sathessan described the oceanarium as a ‘dream project’.“Keralam’s maritime history, spanning nearly two millennia, provides the foundation for the proposed institution. The project encompasses the ancient port of Muziris, the Quilon trade route, Beypore’s traditional Uru-building craft and the modern deep-water port at Vizhinjam,” the CM said.Satheesan also highlighted the potential of Keralam’s large Malayali diaspora and private investment to contribute to a financially sustainable model whose value could grow significantly over the long term.Under the proposed model, a single special purpose vehicle, structured as a non-profit company, would own and operate both facilities under one board chaired by the CM, supported by an advisory council and a common visitor brand.He emphasised that govt would play a catalytic role in taking forward the project and incorporate the latest technologies and international practices into design and operations.The state budget had allocated funds for an International Maritime Museum, following which govt directed that the feasibility of developing an oceanarium alongside it on the same waterfront also be examined.The proposal to develop the museum and oceanarium as one institution rather than two separate facilities was discussed at the conference on Wednesday.The integrated approach is expected to create operational synergies, with the revenue-generating potential of the oceanarium helping support the museum’s heritage and curatorial functions. The model would also reduce the need for the state to provide perpetual financial support to two separate institutions.
