KOCHI: The Central Government will not declare the West Coast Canal, which stretches from the southern tip of Kerala to the northern tip, from Kovalam to Kollam and from Kozhikode to Bekal, as National Waterways. The central government reasoned that the Kollam-Kozhikode National Waterway was not being utilised effectively, and a study also proved that the new routes would not be profitable.

The state had requested the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Inland Transport to declare Kovalam-Kollam and Kozhikode-Bekal as National Waterways. In a response to Kodikunnil Suresh MP, the central government cited the report of the National Transport Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) to be a hindrance to declaring WCC as National Waterways.

The National Inland Waterways Authority had declared the stretch from Kollam to Kottappuram in Thrissur district as a national waterway in 1993 and from Kottappuram to Kallayi in Kozhikode district in 2016. Four ancillary roads were also constructed. Construction began in 2008, and the Kollam-Kottappuram stretch was made ready for traffic in 2014.

'11 years have passed since the development of the national waterway for Rs 250 crore, but it has not been utilised effectively', National Inland Waterways Authority sources told 'Kerala Kaumudi'.

Although it is being used for travel, the movement of goods is not increasing significantly on this route. Although 11 terminals, godowns and related facilities were built, the movement of goods through barges remains inefficient.

Meanwhile, the state government aims to develop the 620-km West Coast Canal from Vizhinjam to Bekal and utilise it for travel, freight movement and tourism.

The state-run Kerala Waterways and Infrastructures Limited (KWI) is responsible for the project. The aim is to develop the West Coast Canal, excluding the national highway, with the help of KIIFB. Since the Centre expressed its reluctance, Kerala will have to bear the cost of Rs. 3,000 crore for the project.