Vlog portraying ‘heartbreaking condition’ of Kochi International Marina draws swift response from Keralam CM

Located on the eastern side of Bolgatty Island in Keralam’s Kochi, the marina that was commissioned in 2010 is the only one of its kind in India. | Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO

Three days after Amrutha, a sailing enthusiast from Keralam, posted a vlog about the ‘heartbreaking condition’ of the Kochi International Marina, whose berths have no yachts to boast of, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan responded by saying that steps would be taken to remedy the state of affairs through a coordinated effort by the departments concerned.

Located on the eastern side of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation-owned Bolgatty Palace Hotel and Island Resort on Bolgatty Island, the marina, built with funds from the Union Tourism Ministry and commissioned in 2010, is the only one of its kind in India. It once attracted a sizeable number of transoceanic seafarers who sailed into Kochi in yachts. Over the years, its patronage plummeted due to piracy off the Somalia coast that deterred seafarers and the marina’s inadequate depth due to dredging not being done at frequent intervals, to name a few.

In her vlog, Ms. Amrutha, who once sailed from the marina to Djibouti — a country on Africa’s eastern coast, shows swathes of water hyacinth beside the marina’s vacant ramps (verified by The Hindu on November 10, 2026) and rues that “people do not see the potential we have. The marina needs an active cafe, plenty of sail boats and may be a sailing school here...a community [of sailors].”

Responding to this, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan thanked her for highlighting the matter. “I’ve noted your suggestion and will direct the relevant departments to assess the feasibility of implementing it. Together, let’s build a new era for Keralam,” he tweeted.

An elated Amrutha swiftly posted in her vlog (‘Sailing Amrutha’) that “Little did I know I’d get to meet Keralam’s CM today. This is something I’ve been wanting to address for a long time. I really wish our sailing community got the attention and opportunities it deserves. Sailing is an Olympic sport [that not many here know of]. We live in Kerala, blessed with beautiful coastlines and backwaters. Yet so many of us have never had the opportunity to experience sailing.

“Through sharing my journey, I’ve seen people get curious, try sailing and even fall in love with it. Awareness alone is not enough. We need more opportunities, better access and support to grow this [sailing] community. I believe Kerala can do so much more with its waters. And I hope one day sailing becomes a sport that our children grow up knowing, trying and dreaming about. Here’s hoping for bigger changes and more sails on our waters!” she signed off.

Reacting to concerns regarding the marina and the need to promote sailing that the passionate sailor referred to in her vlog, a senior Kerala Tourism official said the marina that was in a not-so-good condition was renovated earlier this year as part of a ₹2.50-crore project. “This included the replacement of the wooden decks and the reconstruction of seven piles to support the floating pontoons where yachts berth. Another ₹2 crore was sanctioned in August using which the adjacent 24-room marina house would be renovated,” the official said.

With funds for marketing the marina in short supply, Kochi’s sailing community could promote the marina in a better way. The private sector too could pool in with support, he added.

Published - November 11, 2026 07:00 am IST