Willingdon Island

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Willingdon Island

News: Recently, Cochin Port unions have urged PM Modi to revive lost glory of Willingdon Island.

Background:
• The island used to be the hub of business in Kochi, but it wore a deserted look after the shifting of container terminal operations to Vallarpadam.
• The Forum has requested the Prime Minister to evolve creative plans for the diversification and reconstruction of Willingdon Island to improve its business prospects, enhance the port’s revenue, and protect workers and their families through employment generation

About:
• Willingdon Island is the largest artificial island in India, located in the city of Kochi, in the state of Kerala. It was created during the construction of the modern port in 1936, with the soil dredged out while deepening the Vembanad Lake to accommodate the new port.
• The island was named after The 1st Earl of Willingdon, the Viceroy of India at the time, who commissioned the project.
• It is home to the Port of Kochi, the Kochi Naval Base, the Southern Naval Command of the Indian Navy, Plant Quarantine station, Custom House Cochin, and Central Institute of Fisheries Technology.