KOCHI: Industrialist Anand Mahindra has fulfilled a personal promise, visiting the idyllic Kadamakkudy islands on the outskirts of Kochi. His recent visit, following the Mahindra Group’s M101 annual leadership conference in the city, has put this tranquil destination firmly on the national, and possibly international, tourism map.
Mahindra shared his experience on X, articulating the profound effect the islands had on him. “I lived up to a promise I had made to myself…,” he posted.
His description painted a picture of pristine serenity: “Clean and pristine. Tranquil kayals (backwaters) stretching as far as the eye can see, with small launches chugging gently along their waters. Egrets and black cormorants, preening and drying themselves in the sun. Mesmerising.”
He concluded with a poignant observation: “Some landscapes don’t just impress; they recalibrate you.”
The visit was the culmination of a desire sparked earlier. In July, Mahindra had posted about Kadamakkudy being “often listed amongst the most beautiful villages on earth”, adding it to his personal “bucket list” for his December business trip to Kochi.
The industrialist’s effusive praise instantly set the social media platform alight. The posts garnered widespread attention, with countless users sharing the news and praising the hidden gem. Capitalising on the moment, Kerala Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas had then quickly extended an official invitation, also via X, stating, “Always welcome to the land of incredible destinations and experiences Anand Ji @anandmahindra.. It will be a privilege for #KeralaTourism to host you at #Kadamakkudy.”
The excitement generated by Mahindra’s spotlight has significantly accelerated plans to improve accessibility to Kadamakkudy, a cluster of 14 tranquil islands. The Kochi Water Metro is actively working to launch its much-anticipated services to the popular tourist destination.
Initially, the Water Metro had aimed to start operations to Kadamakkudy in December, a timeline intended to coincide with the industrialist’s planned visit. Kochi Metro authorities recently announced that the work of the pontoon installation at Kadamakkudy is still pending, pushing the service’s commencement to January.
“Historically, these islands thrived on water-based transport. Therein lies the solution. Water Metro connectivity will be a big boost for the place. The tourism department could also deploy solar boats. Another possibility is bringing in houseboats, after dredging some shallow regions,” said Dilraj Nalukandathil, director of GDM Travels, a startup promoting sustainable community tourism.
Despite the minor setback, Anand Mahindra’s commitment to his promise has yielded a significant outcome: transforming a serene, lesser-known island cluster into a must-visit destination. His personal endorsement has provided an invaluable boost to Kerala’s tourism sector, promising a new era of recognition and connectivity for the islands of Kadamakkudy.
