Second longest waterway in Asia will be in Kerala after project completion in 2025, work begins in capital

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After the uncertainties, construction work on the national waterway has begun here. Renovation work has started on the four-kilometre stretch of the Parvathi Puthanar from Veli to Pallithura.

The width of the waterway is 35 meters as determined by the Inland Navigation Department. The water channel will be created by increasing the depth of Puthanar to a width of 25 metres. There is also a plan to build 5-metre-wide roads on both sides.

As part of the project, construction works are in progress at Panathura, Puthanpalam, St Andrews and Karikkakam in the Kazhakkootam constituency. A rehabilitation package of Rs 214 crore will be provided to those rehabilitated from Kovalam to Varkala through KIIFB.

History of waterways

During the royal rule, there was a waterway from Kovalam to Shornur (TS Canal). It was a waterway built by cutting canals and connecting the main backwaters from Vallakkadavu to Varkalakkunnu.

The plan

The major project is being implemented by spending Rs 6000 crore rupees from KIIFB for the current renovation of the waterway. Rs 2451.24 crore has already been sanctioned by KIIFB. The 616-km waterway will be completed in three phases. Out of this, 238 km is planned to be completed in the next fiscal year. 80 km will be completed in 2024-25 and 61 km in 2025-26. The designated waterway, which is the second longest in Asia, aims to be fully opened in 2025. Kerala Waterways and Infrastructures Limited (KWIL), a joint venture between CIAL and the state government, is in charge of the construction. Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kannur airports are also connected by the West Coast Canal. Water bodies near these will also be part of the project. The project also emphasizes on resettlement of illegal residents, reconstruction of bridges, deepening of canals and construction of boat jetties.

Length of the waterway - 616 km