International Cruise Terminal Sagarika in Kochi

Subject: Economy

Context: The PM dedicated first international cruise Terminal to the nation.

Concept:

It is another landmark for Kochi which is slowly evolving as major cruise destination across the globe.
A dedicated terminal, that is fully air-conditioned and serving the cruise ship requirements, provides all statutory clearances, including Customs and Immigration, for cruise passengers.
Other amenities included walk-in-berthing, assured quality bunkers and fresh water services, said Port Trust sources.
Closeness to Mattancherry and Fort Kochi that have a rich historic legacy has added to its rise as cruise destination.
The backwater tourism in Alappuzha and spices destinations in Idukki are other major attraction.
It is seen as a major efforts towards blue economy.

Additional:

The Union government has relaxed cabotage restrictions for cruise vessels so that it is possible to transport Indians from one port to another port in the country on foreign cruise vessels transiting through the country’s waters.
Cabotage is the transport of goods or passengers between two places in the same country by a transport operator from another country.
The PM also talked of The Propylene Derivatives Petrochemical complex of Kochi Refinery which will help strengthen our journey towards being Atmanirbhar.

About Mattancherry

Mattancherry is home to the Paradesi Synagogue, India’s oldest functioning synagogue, Mattancherry Palace Museum, MattacherryPazhayannur Royal temple.
The name Mattancherry comes from “AncherryMattom”, a ”Namboodiriillam” which the foreign traders then pronounced it as Matt-Ancherry, gradually became Mattancherry. It is largely a Tamil Brahmin settlement.