willingdon island Kochi Tickets, timings, offers Oct 2023

Category
Landmark
Duration
3 - 4 Hours
Mobile Voucher
Accepted
Bird spotting
Zone
Parking
Available
Drinking water
Available
Snacks counter
Available
Audio guide
Available
Guided Tour
Available
Photographer
Available
Pets
Allowed
Disable
Friendly
Couple
Friendly
Baby
Friendly
Help Desk
Available
Charging Point
Available
Restroom
Available
Sitting Area
Available
Activity Zone
Available
Games
Available
Children's play area
Available
Adventure game
Available
Water game
Available
Boating
Available
Ferry ride
Available
Swimming dress
Available
Souvenir shop
Available
FIrst Aid kit
Available
Prayer room
Available
Money Exchange
Available
Cctv
Available
Security guard
Available
Dustbin
Available

Ticket

free entry
Adult
FREE
Children
FREE
Mobile Camera
FREE
still camera
FREE
Video Camera
FREE
Cards
Accepted
Cash
Only

Description

Willingdon Island is the largest artificial man-made island created from the sand dug out while deepening Kochi port, which forms part of the city of Kochi. It has been named after Lord Willingdon, the former Madras governor, who was instrumental in implementing this island project. The main engineer spearheading this project, however, was Robert Bristow. A port hostel was built to accommodate passengers who wished to halt for a short while and it was named as the Malabar Hotel. As per the project draft, a basic port structure was completed by 1939, just prior the Second World War. A deep wharf, a rail bridge and a road bridge connecting to the mainland were made to provide valuable infrastructure for the local war effort. A naval works was also built on the adjacent Venduruthy Island. When the time war ended, those working on island project got busy constructing landing craft for the presumed invasion of Japan. In 1940, a passenger jetty and customs house were constructed adjoining the hotel.

The other buildings constructed nearby include a passenger platform and rail siding. This huge expanse of virgin territory was soon procured by the Royal Air Force, which constructed a large aerodrome there. This man-made isle near Cochin City, thus, became a thriving military base. The Malabar Hotel served in providing quarters to all wartime staff and soon this building was joined by a new administrative block next door. A new post office, a swanky open-air swimming bath and an adjoining bank completed the facilities. When the British withdrew from India after independence in 1947, they left behind an indispensable and significant transport hub. During its short colonial tenure, the Wellingdon Island in Cochin handled almost one million tons of freight and by the year 1960, the traffic had almost doubled. It is a major artificial port in India and serves as a major landmark in the Kochi city of Kerala. The Wellington Island also serves as a link between the city and some other seaports of the world.

Operational Hours

January to December
Monday	12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday	12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday	12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday	12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday	12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday	12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday	12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
*Last Admission*