Renovated Chilakoor tunnel in Varkala to give a fillip to water-based tourism

The renovation of the Chilakoor tunnel in Varkala as part of the Akkulam-Chettuva Waterway is expected to give a boost to water-based tourism.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate a string of tourism initiatives on the picturesque Chilakoor Beach in Varkala on February 26, 2026 as part of the inauguration of the first phase of the Akkulam-Chettuva Waterway.

The tunnel renovation work has been carried out by the Kerala Waterways Infrastructure Limited (KWIL), a joint venture of the State government and the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL). A 350-metre engineering marvel, the Chilakoor tunnel built during the reign of the erstwhile Travancore kings for end-to-end inland navigation in the kingdom, has been restored as part of the State government’s Inland Waterways development project.

Coinciding with the inauguration, the CIAL will launch an electric boat ride and a ‘Light and Sound Show’ highlighting the life and teachings of social reformer Sree Narayana Guru. The show will also spotlight Guru’s close association with Varkala, the heritage of the area and the cultural legacy of Kerala. The show, equipped with mapping technology on the tunnel’s surface, has been designed and executed at a cost of ₹4.5 crore and is the first fully digitised tourism-oriented spectacle in the State.

According to S. Suhas, Director, KWIL, the tunnel has re-emerged as a landmark heritage destination. Considering its logistical and historical significance, the tunnel surface has not been disturbed by any embedded fixtures, Mr. Suhas said. “Visitors can experience the show while riding along the tunnel in a specially designed 20-seat electric boat, made by the Kochi-based start-up NavAlt Green Mobility. The boat is equipped with four high-intensity imported laser projectors, advanced onboard sound systems, and battery power, ensuring a synchronised and eco-friendly visual spectacle,” he added.

A boat jetty and a beach park are also being set up. The 280-km Akkulam-Chettuva Waterway is a major component of the government’s flagship West Coast Canal Renovation project, which is expected to accelerate Kerala’s sustainable and inclusive development by opening up immense opportunities in multiple sectors, including logistics and tourism.