Kerala to Build First Underwater Tunnel Linking Vypin and Fort Kochi
In a historic infrastructure initiative, Kerala is set to build its first underwater tunnel, connecting Vypin and Fort Kochi, as part of the state’s ambitious coastal highway development project. This engineering marvel will significantly reduce the current 16 km road distance to a 3 km sub-sea journey beneath the Arabian Sea, redefining connectivity in Kochi — one of India’s busiest port cities.
Project Overview: A Sub-Sea Engineering Feat
The underwater tunnel will be developed by the Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL) with an estimated cost of ₹2,672 crore. Key design and construction features include,
- Total Length: 2.75 km (1.75 km bored tunnel + 1 km cut-and-cover)
- Twin-Tube Structure: Separate tunnels for each direction
- Dimensions: 12.5 m outer diameter; 11.25 m inner width
- Depth: 35 metres below sea level
Safety Features
- Emergency stops every 250 m
- Escape passages every 500 m
- Advanced ventilation and fire safety systems
This project marks a first-of-its-kind sub-sea tunnel in Kerala, comparable only to Kolkata’s Hooghly River Metro Tunnel — India’s first underwater rail tunnel.