Kochi: Beypore bets big on cruise

Kozhikode: Cruise tourism is set to reshape the future of tourism industry in Beypore with many cruise shipping groups evincing interest in trips to Beypore from Kochi.

Beypore with a glorious past and the land of Urus is yet to tap its tourism potential. Many schemes planned have not materialised so far. The railways had a project to revive the rail heritage of Beypore by re-establishing the rail link, but it has been shelved citing financial constrains.

A meeting of officials and architects held at Beypore on Friday decided to explore steps to transform Beypore into a tourism hub. Beypore MLA V.K.C. Mammadkoya told DC that with cruise ships from Kochi set to travel to Beypore, enough facilities will have to be provided there.

“We have held the first round of discussions with architects and officials who will prepare a blueprint for tourism development,” he said. Though thousands of tourists visit the beach every week, the lack of facilities keeps many away, he said.

The meeting also deputed architect group, Prasanth Associates, to prepare a blueprint for the tourism project.

There were many attempts in the past to convert Uru-making, fishing harbour and beach of Beypore more tourist- friendly. There were also suggestions to showcase the rail and trade history of Beypore for tourists.

Beypore had the first railway station of Malabar and steps were planned to restore it. A feasibility survey report of the Southern Railway put the six-km rail project in the profitable project list.   The Madras railway company founded in 1845 has Beypore at the western-end station of the Madras -Coimbatore-Beypore railway line. The first locomotive chugged into the station in 1861. Beypore, a port town, was held in high esteem by westerners.  

The line was opened for service in 1862. British dignitaries like Prince of Wales and Lord Mayo moved through Beypore station. It was in 1888 the station was shifted entirely to Kozhikode for convenience.