The state government has the hope of making Navigable a great section of the west coast channel project from Akkulam in Thiruvananthapuram to Chettuva in Thrissur in the next six months, said R. Girija, managing director of Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation ( Ksinc). Speaking in a session entitled ‘Navigating the future: shipping, logistics and the new revolution of the supply chain’ on the second day of the Vizhinjam Conclave 2025, Akkulam said from Akkulam to Bekal.
While the stretch between Bekal and Kovalam is technically navigable, the shallow draft of 2 to 3.2 meters in several sections raises a challenge. “Once we can operationalize the interior navigable routes, it will have a significant positive impact. The government is interested in this initiative, and weekly monitoring is in its place, ”said Mrs. Girija.
Obstacles to project
However, he pointed out key obstacles, including the Varkala tunnel, which currently does not allow the passage of large barges, and the lock in Thirukkunnappuzha in the district of Alappuzha, which requires updating to facilitate navigation without problems. Akkulam-Kovalam stretching presents an additional challenge, since approximately 1,000 families will have to be rehabilitated. “The government is taking this problem seriously,” he said, adding that National Waterway 3 is expected to operate completely by 2028.
Published – January 29, 2025 07:47 pm ist
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