Kochi plans ₹2500 crore Vypeen underwater tunnel, meet in November
In a major step towards strengthening connectivity along Kerala’s coastline, the State government is set to hold a stakeholder meeting in November to advance the long-pending proposal for an underwater tunnel linking Vypeen and Fort Kochi. The project, which aims to provide seamless travel along the State’s 623-km coastal highway, could become one of the most significant infrastructure developments in southern India.
The proposed three-kilometre tunnel, estimated to cost around ₹2,500 crore, is being positioned as a sustainable alternative to the existing ro-ro ferry service that currently handles daily traffic between the two points. The meeting is expected to explore potential models for private participation to mobilise funds for the mega project, with officials indicating that toll-based operations might be a likely financing structure.Currently, motorists endure long waiting hours and fare payments to cross the 600-metre sea stretch between Vypeen and Fort Kochi.
The underwater tunnel, if executed, would cut the travel time to under five minutes, providing a faster, safer, and eco-friendly alternative to conventional ferry routes.
Transport and infrastructure experts have pointed out that the proposal, originally conceived nearly a decade ago, has gained renewed relevance as Kerala works to modernise its coastal corridor and promote sustainable mobility. The project’s alignment beneath the seabed is being designed to ensure minimal disruption to marine ecosystems, aligning with the State’s commitment to low-carbon infrastructure.
Officials involved in the project planning said that a detailed feasibility study would be critical to ensure cost efficiency, engineering resilience, and environmental compatibility. The government is also expected to explore global partnerships for technology sharing and sustainable construction models, given the technical complexity of building undersea infrastructure in a coastal region prone to tidal fluctuations.
Civil society organisations and local advocacy groups have voiced cautious optimism, emphasising that the tunnel could serve as a catalyst for business, tourism, and urban expansion in the Fort Kochi–Vypeen–Munambam coastal belt. However, they have urged the government to prevent excessive toll rates and ensure equitable access for daily commuters. They also stressed that dredged sand from the project should be deposited along eroding shorelines to strengthen natural defences against sea incursion.If realised, the Vypeen–Fort Kochi underwater tunnel will mark a transformative moment for Kerala’s urban mobility and coastal infrastructure—ushering in a model that blends engineering innovation with environmental stewardship. The upcoming stakeholder meeting is expected to determine whether Kerala can turn this visionary idea into a sustainable urban reality.
