Half a Kilometer of Railway Track Stolen from Kochi Port

Approximately 0.5 kilometers of railway track has been stolen from the high-security Willingdon Island port area in Kochi, according to reports published June 24, 2026. The Port Authority has launched an internal investigation after steel rails between the Q9 berth and Tata Tetley were cut and removed without detection by security personnel.

Where was the railway track stolen in Kochi?

The missing steel rails spanned the section from the Q9 berth to Tata Tetley. This specific line crossed the road leading to the Harbour Terminus railway station.

Railway officials inspected the site yesterday evening. They found concrete slabs, which previously secured the rails, scattered inside the perimeter wall. The Port Authority, which owns the land and manages the maintenance of the track, confirmed the loss.

Did You Know? The stolen railway line was previously used to transport coal to Vellur HNL.

Why did the security breach occur at Willingdon Island?

The theft occurred in a zone guarded by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). The rails were located in a section that has been out of use since the Vallarpadam Container Terminal became operational. Because no cargo has moved through this area recently, the track was obscured by overgrown vegetation.

The removal of a significant volume of heavy metal from a restricted area is being treated as a major security lapse. The area is gated where the line meets the road, and unauthorized entry is generally restricted.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the theft of half a kilometer of industrial rail suggests a coordinated operation. Removing such heavy infrastructure requires specialized cutting tools and transport logistics, which is particularly significant given the presence of CISF security in the vicinity.

What happens next in the investigation?

The Port Authority is currently conducting an internal probe to determine how the materials were moved past security checkpoints. While an internal investigation is active, the authority has not yet filed a formal complaint with the police.

Half a Kilometer of Railway Track Stolen in Kochi’s Willingdon Island | Kochi Railway Track Theft

Future steps may include a review of CISF patrol patterns in unused sectors of the port. The authority could also decide to file a criminal case if the internal probe identifies specific suspects or systemic failures.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much of the railway track was stolen?
Approximately 0.5 kilometers of steel rail is missing.

Which specific area of the port was affected?
The theft occurred between the Q9 berth and Tata Tetley on Willingdon Island.

Has the police been involved in the case?
No, the Port Authority has started an internal investigation and has not yet filed a police complaint.

Do you believe increased surveillance is necessary for unused industrial infrastructure in high-security zones?