The redevelopment of a crucial segment of the Thiruvananthapuram-Shoranur (TS) canal is on track to become operational by the end of February, according to officials. This milestone will restore navigability to a long-neglected part of the Parvathy Puthanar system, marking a significant leap for inland water transport in Kerala.
Project Details and Current Progress
Managed by Kerala Waterways and Infrastructure Ltd (KWIL), the redevelopment focuses on a stretch between the Arattuvazhy and Anakkapillai bridges near Kadinamkulam in Thiruvananthapuram district. The work involves widening the channel to a 25-metre navigable waterway with a 1.7-metre draught. Once complete, this will allow boats, ferries, and light cargo vessels to ply the section.
The project, estimated at Rs 12 crore, has progressed steadily despite environmental and administrative hurdles. A senior KWIL official stated that desilting and mud removal are ongoing at the Varkala tunnel section and will be finished this month. "We aim to open the combined stretch from Akkulam to Chettuva in Thrissur district by the end of Feb," the official told TOI.
A Link in a Larger Corridor
This redevelopment is a key phase of the ambitious Kovalam-Bekal Waterway initiative, which seeks to connect Kovalam in the south with Bekal in the north through an extensive inland navigation corridor. The TS canal itself is the southernmost link of the West Coast Canal, which is part of Kerala's planned 610-plus-kilometre inland waterway network.
The opening of this section will create a continuous navigable route from Thiruvananthapuram to Thrissur. Experts believe the full corridor could be operational by 2028, aligning with upgrades to National Waterways connectivity and the expansion of the Vizhinjam port.
Challenges and Rehabilitation
Progress on other sections, like the Kovalam–Akkulam stretch extending deeper into Thiruvananthapuram city, has been slower due to land acquisition issues. Out of 494 families residing on government land, 425 have been rehabilitated. Authorities expect to complete the remaining relocations within three months.
Compensation, averaging Rs 15 lakh per household, is ongoing, with full rehabilitation anticipated by May. Tendering for civil works will commence only after land acquisition is finalised. The project also faces maintenance challenges like water hyacinth growth and siltation, prompting KWIL to explore outsourcing cleaning to labour programmes such as MGNREGS.
Broader Impact and Future Vision
Planners view this canal project, central to the state's push for inland waterways, as a potential game-changer. It promises to:
- Ease road congestion.
- Boost tourism and cargo movement.
- Offer a greener transport alternative.
- Stimulate sustainable economic activity along the backwaters.
However, realising this vision hinges on deftly managing community concerns and ecological issues. If successful, the rejuvenated waterways will redefine connectivity and sustainable transport in Kerala for decades to come.
