Among the Sagarmala projects in Kerala for which sanction has been accorded is the proposed cryogenic warehousing facility on Puthuvypu island. According to the Union Ministry of Shipping, a detailed project report (DPR) will be prepared on the project, and work is likely to be awarded in 2018-19.
Sagarmala is an ambitious programme for port-centric development, and it was approved by the Union Cabinet in early 2015. The programme envisages exploiting the 7,500-km Indian coastline and 14,500 km of navigable inland waterway stretches.
Cochin Port Trust has a 5-MMTPA LNG terminal on Puthuvype island. They were established by Petronet LNG. A release from the port trust said that 10 acres on the island, close to the LNG terminal, have been set apart for setting up the cryogenic warehousing facility. It will be operated using cold energy available from re-gassification process. It can also become a zero carbon dioxide emission cold chain hub.
Import terminal
The setting up of a food grain import terminal in Kochi at a cost of ₹120 crore, for which the tendering process is on, and developing an integrated wooden furniture export cluster on the initiative of the State government are the other Sagarmala projects cleared in Kerala, said Minister of State for Shipping Mansukh L. Mandaviya in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on March 12.
The development of an outer harbour in Kochi has long been on the drawing board and is among the long-term projects under Sagarmala.
The proposal for an automated food grain handling facility is based on the need for the State to import large quantities of food grain annually.
According to the port trust, 2.5 million tonnes of rice and 0.4 million tonnes of wheat are procured from other States. The port has also spared four acres for setting up the facility.
