Kerala to Build Nation’s First Underwater Tunnel Linking Vypin and Fort Kochi

Kerala is set to make history with its first-ever underwater tunnel, connecting Vypin and Fort Kochi. This ambitious 3-km project is part of the state’s larger coastal highway development plan and promises to revolutionize travel across the busy Cochin Port channel. Currently, commuters rely on ferries or the long 16-km Goshree route, which is time-consuming and costly.

The twin-tube tunnel, estimated at Rs 2,672 crore, includes Rs 1,225 crore for the tunnel construction and Rs 500 crore for land acquisition. Designed with modern safety standards, each tube will have an outer diameter of 12.5 meters and an inner width of 11.25 meters, running 35 meters below sea level. The tunnel will feature emergency stop areas every 250 meters, escape routes every 500 meters, and a comprehensive ventilation system, ensuring commuter safety.

Travel time between Vypin and Fort Kochi is expected to drop from over two hours to just half an hour, with daily commuters potentially saving around Rs 1,500 per month. Trucks and other vehicles will also benefit from reduced travel costs and time, enhancing overall transport efficiency in the region.

Earlier proposals for an overbridge were abandoned due to technical and financial constraints. Building a bridge over the shipping channel would require excessive height for ship clearance and extensive land acquisition. The underwater tunnel, however, requires minimal land—just 100 meters on each side of the landing points—making it the most viable option.

The Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL) has invited Expressions of Interest (EOI) from firms to take the project forward. Construction is expected to take around 30 months, with an additional 18 months for land acquisition. Officials aim to complete the tunnel by September 2027, opening a faster, safer, and more economical route for daily commuters and transporters alike.

This landmark project is poised to become a key infrastructural asset, enhancing Kerala’s connectivity and demonstrating the state’s commitment to innovative engineering solutions along its coastline.