T’puram: The proposal to develop Valiyathura into an international maritime hub, including restoration of its iconic sea bridge, has been shelved following the dissolution of Kerala Maritime Board (KMB) by the state govt.The project had reached an advanced stage under KMB, with the board seeking private participation to redevelop around 4.5 acres of under-utilised port land at Valiyathura. The proposal envisaged combining restoration of the historic pier with a maritime heritage and tourism precinct featuring a fish landing centre, convention facilities, hospitality infrastructure, museums and other maritime-themed attractions.The project was conceived as a public-private partnership (PPP) initiative, with private investors expected to undertake the redevelopment and restoration of the pier as part of a long-term agreement. The 214m Valiyathura pier, constructed in 1956, has suffered extensive structural damage over the years due to coastal erosion, rough seas and prolonged neglect. The damaged Valiyathura sea bridge broke apart in the middle following the frequent battering of sea waves in 2024. It has remained closed to the public for years.The state govt has also admitted that the project is in cold storage.“Currently, all the projects which come under KMB are in cold storage. Maybe the KMB will be reconstituted in the future and these projects can be revived. However, the govt cannot give a confirmation now,” said a senior govt official associated with the project.The redevelopment proposal gained momentum in 2025, when KMB sought to build consensus among local stakeholders, particularly the fishing community, before proceeding with private investment. The board had proposed discussions involving fishermen, church representatives and local representatives to ensure that the project would not affect traditional fishing activities or access to the coast.KMB subsequently invited expressions of interest (EoI) from potential private players. However, the response was poor, with only one EoI being received. The proposal was rejected by the board as it did not conform to its development vision. The board had planned to restart the process through a request for proposal (RFP), subject to the lifting of the model code of conduct. The future of the project was also expected to depend on the policy direction of the new govt.The latest setback came with the state govt’s decision in July to dissolve the KMB, citing financial and administrative lapses. Govt invoked provisions of KMB Act, 2017, and appointed an administrator to oversee the board’s affairs. The dissolution has effectively put projects being pursued by the board, including Valiyathura redevelopment, under review.Former KMB chairperson N S Pillai, who had been closely associated with the Valiyathura proposal, said the project had reached the stage of seeking private participation when the board was dissolved. According to him, the state govt should reconsider the proposal, particularly in view of its broader maritime development agenda.The state govt’s efforts to include the restoration project in the Union government’s Sagarmala project also went in vain.The UDF govt’s first Budget allocated Rs 400 crore for the five-year programme aimed at transforming Kerala into a major maritime and port-led economy. However, there is currently no govt decision to revive the Valiyathura maritime hub proposal. With the institutional framework that was handling the project having been dismantled, the proposal remains shelved. Its revival will depend on whether the new administration decides to incorporate Valiyathura into the wider Mission Samudra strategy and revive the PPP process.
