CM Pinarayi to inaugurate Akkulam-Chettuva Waterway phase 1 on Feb. 26

Marking a milestone in Kerala’s inland waterways development, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the first phase of Akkulam-Chettuva waterway at Chilakoor Beach Park in Varkala on February 26. The 280-km Akkulam-Chettuva waterway, spanning across different districts, is a major component of the State government’s flagship West Coast Canal Renovation project, which is set to accelerate Kerala’s sustainable and inclusive development by unlocking immense opportunities in multiple verticals including logistics and tourism.

The West Coast Canal Renovation Project is being implemented by Kerala Waterways Infrastructure Limited (KWIL), a joint venture of the state government and the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL). The Chief Minister will also inaugurate the Chilakoor Tourism Project, and a string of other development initiatives completed by the Inland Navigation department as part of the West Coast Canal Renovation project, on the occasion.

CIAL has been entrusted with the renovation of the Chilakoor Tunnel in Varkala, a vital link of inland navigation in south Kerala, along with tourism-oriented beautification works to tap into the potential of the scenic site to attract visitors. As part of the tourism activities, CIAL will launch an electric boat for conducting a gliding ‘Light and Sound Show’ in the tunnel, highlighting the life and teachings of Sree Narayana Guru who pioneered the social reform movement of Kerala. The show will also spotlight Sree Narayana Guru’s close association with Varkala, the heritage of the area and the cultural legacy of Kerala.

The 616-km Kovalam-Bekal waterway project will traverse through canals like Parvathi Puthanar, Kollam Thodu, Ponnani-Chettuva Canal, Canoli Canal, Purappuzha Canal, Payyoli Canal and Vadakara-Mahe Canal, bearing the imprint of history. It will also touch 39 rivers and lakes. The 280-km Akkulam-Chettuva canal will go across most of the districts in the State. As part of the project, KWIL is developing a massive infrastructure base across multiple locations.

Completed projects

In the Thrissur-Kattoor section at Madhurampally, a five-km stretch has been widened and deepened to meet State Waterway standards. Construction of three boat jetties has begun at Triprayar, Kandassankadavu and Enammavu while four boat jetties between Akkulam and Kollam have also been developed. The Vengoli Bridge across Vadakara-Mahe Canal, connecting the Kozhikode, Kuttiyadi, Nadapuram, and Vadakara assembly constituencies, has been completed. The Karikkakom Steel Lifting Bridge constructed across the Parvathi Puthanar Canal has also been commissioned.

Other projects completed by the Inland Navigation department like Moozhikkal Lock-cum-Bridge in Kozhikode, St. Andrews Bridge in Thiruvananthapuram, and the 14 km section of the Vadakara-Mahe Canal have become operational. The construction of the Kottapally Bridge in Kozhikode will begin soon.

As part of the canal development project, various works worth ₹95.6 crore have received administrative sanction. These include Varkala West Coast Canal – Reach 1 and 2, Kadinamkulam West Coast Canal Reach, Vadakara–Mahe Canal – First Reach and Chirayinkeezhu Kadakom Bridge, which are in progress. Meanwhile, the deepening works on the northern side of the Sivagiri Tunnel is also on. Out of the total outlay of ₹325 crore for the Phase-1 of the West Coast Canal Renovation and Rehabilitation Project, approximately ₹280 crore has been utilised for creating safe, secure, and improved living conditions for residents along the banks of the canal.