CM: Akkulam-Chettuva waterway will be extended to Vizhinjam port

T'puram: CM Pinarayi Vijayan said the Akkulam-Chettuva waterway will be extended to Vizhinjam port.Inaugurating the 280km stretch of the revamped waterway in Varkala on Thursday, Vijayan said the linkage will pave the way for a strong multi-modal logistics network in the state.
"The waterway is part of 616km Kovalam–Bekal Waterway project, which links lakes, rivers and man-made canals across the state. Extending the waterway to Vizhinjam port will attract more investments, besides enabling industries to thrive," he added. He said state govt allotted an outlay of Rs 325 crore for Phase I of West Coast Canal Renovation, of which Rs 150 crore was earmarked for the rehabilitation of 579 families. "The waterway will also give a boost to water-based tourism, as it will be a unique experience for tourists. Massive infrastructure activities, including the building of boat jetties and the beautification of tourism destinations, are in progress," he said. He expressed confidence that Chettuva-Bekal waterway will be completed within the time limit. Vadakara–Mahe canal will be developed on a par with national standards as part of the project, he said. The project is being implemented by Kerala Waterways Infrastructure Ltd (KWIL), a JV by govt and Cochin International Airport Limited (Cial). Vijayan also took a ride in a solar-powered boat through the restored Chilakoor tunnel. Cial will conduct a gliding light-and-sound show in the tunnel, highlighting a 3D video of Kerala's history and a six-minute visual spectacle about life and teachings of Sree Narayana Guru. Built in 1876, the 340m-long Chilakoor tunnel facilitated end-to-end inland navigation in the erstwhile princely state of Travancore. CM also launched 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. S Suhas, director, KWIL, said the construction of a massive infrastructure base across multiple locations, including bridges and boat jetties, as well as canal dredging and canal-side beautification, is under way.