Cochin is a vibrant city situated on the south-west coast of the Indian peninsula in the breathtakingly scenic and prosperous state of Kerala, hailed as ‘God’s Own Country’. Rightly called as The Queen of the Arabian Sea, it is the biggest city in Kerala by volume of trade. It revels in being a choice destination for a wide range of industries from Tourism, Shipping and Information Technology to International trade and Bio-technology.This metropolitan in the recent years has been witnessing heavy investments, making it one of the fastest growing second-tier metro cities in India.
A combination of various factors works to the advantage of the city. The strategic location of the city with a long coastline, backwaters, presence of a major port, container trans-shipment terminal, harbor terminal, an international air terminal and special rules for facilitating foreign investments, has accelerated the industrial growth in the city.
Over the years, Cochin has emerged as the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala and is perhaps the second most important city on the west coast of India. The city has many developments in her lap.
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Vallarpadam Terminal : India’s first International Container Transshipment terminal (ICTT) in the Special Economic Zone at nearby Vallarpadam Island, Cochin designed to handle the largest container ships.
The country’s first global hub terminal, the ICTT is in strategic proximity to international sea routes. Vallarpadam Terminal is the largest single operator container terminal in India and the first in the country to operate in a special economic zone.The terminal makes Cochin a key center in the shipping world reducing India’s dependence on foreign ports to handle transshipment.
- Cruise Terminal : Now Cochin has another feather on her cap — a cruise-passenger facilitation centre. While the marina hosts yachts, the cruise facilitation centre will help tourists who travel across the oceans in cruise ships. The cruise-passenger facilitation centre covers an area of 1,500 sq m and has dedicated Customs and Immigration counters.
It has x-ray scanning machines for baggage, metal detectors, rest rooms, prayer room, and feeding room. The disabled-friendly terminal also has an acre of parking space for luxury coaches, tourist taxis and auto rickshaws. Cochin is the most-preferred cruise destination in India because of her proximity to the international shipping route.
- Metro Rail : The Kochi Metro Rail Project is the long cherished dream of citizens of Cochin city. The project is envisaged to increase citizens’ mobility that will in turn boost the economic growth as well as increase quality of life for the
citizens by providing them an alternate mode of public transport to access jobs, business, education, livelihood, entertainment and other social activities. The project is planned keeping in view the cultural heritage and commercial significance of the city. The Metro Rail is safe, eco-friendly, and economical. Apart from providing connectivity, the project will bring about a more equitable allocation of road space by encouraging greater use of public transport.
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Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory : Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), Kochi is one of the major Research & Development laboratories of Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). It was setup in 1952 as an in-house laboratory of the Indian Navy, then called as Indian Naval Physical Laboratory (INPL), for providing scientific support to the armed services.
Later it got re-christened as NPOL after the formation of Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) under Ministry of Defence in 1958. Today NPOL stands out with great pride for its outstanding achievements and contributions in the areas of SONAR research and development for Navy.
- Vytilla Mobility Hub : Vyttila Mobility Hub is a state of the art transportation system planned to decongest Cochin, the fast growing commercial capital of Kerala. The primary aim is to set up a state-of-the-art mobility hub at Vytilla so as to avoid the entry of long distance buses to Cochin city, the commercial and trade hub, the roads of which are even otherwise teeming with vehicles.
Vyttila mobility hub project has evolved as a natural remedy and is envisioned as a long-term solution to Cochin’s transporting problems, by providing connectivity with the western and eastern parts of the city and also regional hubs. By basing operations in Vytilla bus terminal, the KSRTC and private buses would be able to save huge amounts on fuel, apart from the time saved in not entering the city.
- Infopark – Smart Space in Cochin : Infopark located at Cochin, is the new IT Park being developed by the Government of Kerala. It is a home for many IT/ITES companies and all the majors in the industry like Wipro, TCS etc have set up their own campus here.
Infopark has ambitious plans to become one of the major IT Parks in the country. With this vision, it has been growing fast ever since its inception in 2004, and within a short period of time, has attracted investments from IT majors like Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, Affiliated Computer Services, OPI Global, IBS Software Services and US Technology.
- Cochin Port : Cochin Port is a major port on the Arabian Sea – Indian Ocean sea-route and is one of the largest ports in India.
The port lies on two islands in the Lake of Cochin – Willingdon Island and Vallarpadam, towards the Fort Cochin river mouth opening onto the Arabian Sea. The International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT), part of the Cochin Port, is the largest container transshipment facility in India. The Cochin Port is one of a line of maritime-related facilities based in the port-city of Cochin.
- Cochin as IT Hub : Cochin enjoys a special place in the global IT map for being the landing point of two submarine telecom cables that forms the gateway
to international connectivity. Now Kakkanad has become the million dollar answer to the IT aspirations of countless professionals who bask under the glory of the most prestigious addresses in the city of Cochin. Easy accessibility of national highways, international airport and seaport has made this erstwhile tranquil locale into a hot seat of activities.
- LNG Terminal : Construction of LNG Receiving, Storage and Regasification Terminal at Cochin is in full swing.
The terminal at Cochin will help in meeting enormous demand of natural gas for Power, Fertilizers, Petrochemicals and various other industries in the Southern States. The Company will also supply LNG through road tankers to consumers.
- International Bunkering Terminal : An international bunkering terminal to supply fuel for vessels is planned by Cochin Port Trust. Bunkering industry point out that major transshipment trade is going to shift to Cochin from Colombo.
This will in turn attract a higher volume of vessel traffic including a greater number of coastal feeder vessels. Besides, the port’s strategic location given its close proximity to international sea route will attract mother vessels to Cochin.
- Shopping Malls : Cochin has opened her doors to the Mall concept. The Mall brings to the city of Cochin, leading national and
international brands in retail, food and entertainment, all under one roof with ample car and two wheeler parking. Cochin city now have many Malls in her lap such as : Oberon Mall, Gold Souk, Lulu Mall, Abad Nucleus Mall, Bay Pride Mall etc.
- Cochin International Airport : Cochin International Airport is one of the country’s youngest Airports with modern facilities and conveniences.
Located at Nedumbassery, which is about 30 kms off Cochin city. It is the busiest and largest airport in the state of Kerala. Cochin International Airport is the first airport in India developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
- Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium : With a capacity to hold 75,000 spectators, the stadium was built in 1996. The stadium in Cochin is considered to be the fifth largest in India and the third largest cricket stadium in India.
The extensive grounds of the stadium serve as venue for important exhibitions, cinema events and political rallies in the city.The stadium is quipped with floodlights for night play.
- Goshri Bridge : A system of bridges that link the mainland side of the city of Cochin to the islands lying to the north of the backwaters. It provides the vital road connectivity to the islands of Bolgatty and Vallarpadam and also links
the western island of Vypin to the mainland. It also provides direct road connectivity to the city for the Vypin island and the suburbs to the northwest, which was relying upon ferry services earlier.
- CSEZ : Cochin SEZ is a Special Economic Zone in Cochin, set up for export- oriented ventures.
The Special Economic Zone is a foreign territory within India with special rules for facilitating foreign direct investment. Cochin SEZ is a multi-product Zone.
- Cochin Refineries : Company which operates an oil refinery located at Cochin. Cochin Refinery is engaged in refining and marketing of petroleum products. It supplies specialty niche petroleum products to the global market. These products include any grade fuel oil (both 180 cst and 380 cst) and low aromatic Naphtha (High Paraffinic).
The fuel oil has been widely accepted and bench-marked in the Singapore and Dubai Fuel Oil Markets. Cochin Refineries Limited (KRL) has earned an enviable reputation as a reliable player in the International petro trade by virtue of superior product quality and client service.
- High Court of Kerala : The High Court of Kerala is the highest court in the Indian State of Kerala, headquartered at Cochin.
The High Court has the power to issue directions, orders and writs including the writs of habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto and certiorari for ensuring the enforcement of the Fundamental Rights guaranteed by the Constitution to citizens or for other specified purposes.
- Cochin Marina : The Kochi Marina is the only marina in India. The marina provides berthing facility for yachts and also offers services like fuel, water,
electricity and sewage pump-outs for boats. The marina is close to the international maritime route at the south west coast of the Indian Peninsula, with favorable conditions and minimum tidal variations throughout the year.
- Cochin Stock Exchange : One of the premier Stock Exchanges in India, located in Cochin.The exchange had a humble beginning with just 5 companies listed in 1978 -79, and had only 14 members.
Today the Exchange has more than 508 members and 240 listed companies. With the enforcement of efficient margin system and surveillance, CSE has successfully prevented defaults.
- Vembanad Rail Bridge : Rail connecting Edapally and Vallarpadam in Cochin. It is the longest rail bridge in India. The line is dedicated only for goods traffic.
The link from Edapally to Vallarpadam start from Edapally running 3 km parallel to an existing track until it reaches Vaduthala. The rail line then passes through the Vembanad Bridge through 3 small islands, including the Idyakkara and Mulavukadu islands,Vembanad Lake to reach Vallarpadam. 80% of the bridge is constructed over water.
