Kovalam-Bekal project will start cargo movement in 2025; Tourism to surge

KOCHI: The Kovalam-Bekal 620 km west coast canal project is gaining pace. The chief minister inside the assembly confirmed the project getting commissioned in 2025. The project will ergo open doors for easy cargo transport and unlimited scope for tourism.

The water canal project will be a boon for cargo shipments for both Vizhinjam and Kochi ports. The project will also link smaller ports such as Kollam, Ponnani, and Beypore. Meanwhile, the government is fixated on bringing the first ship to Vizhinjam port in September 2023. The tender process for the outer ring road has also started with the cooperation of the locals and traders.

The canal project starts from Kovalam in Trivandrum to Bekal in Kasargod. The total cost of the project will be Rs 6500 crore. The money for the progression of the project will be provided by KIIFB.In the recent state budget, the finance minister allocated Rs 300 crore to KIIFB for land acquisition. The project is a joint venture from both the central and the state governments. The Kollam to Kallayi in Kozhikode stretch comes under the union shipping ministry. So Rs 550 crore for the development of this place will be given by the Inland waterways authority, which is a central government-affiliated firm.

Every 25 km of the canal will see a tourist village set up by the government and also activity centers to attract tourists' eyes.