Akkulam-Chettuva waterway to be opened in September; first phase to have 280 kilometres

Thiruvananthapuram: The 280-kilometre stretch of the much-awaited Kovalam – Bakel West Coast waterway will be commissioned in September 2025. This first phase of the extensive waterway was supposed to be opened two years ago. Meanwhile, the canal from Akkulam in Thiruvananthapuram to Chettuva in Thrissur will be opened for passenger boats. Boats with a maximum height of 4.8 metres can travel at a speed of 15 kilometres per hour via this route. The ship will travel through tunnels at Chilakkoor and Shivagiri.

The Akkulam–Chettuva waterway is being opened in the first phase as land acquisition between Kovalam and Akkulam is in a stalemate, and because a new canal needs to be built in Kannur and Kasargod districts. The 168-kilometre stretch from Ashtamudi Lake to Kottapuram in Kodungallur is a national waterway on this route. Soil needs to be dredged away in this part of the Ashtamudi Lake. Besides, the construction of the navigation lock at Trikunnapuzha to prevent saltwater from entering the Kuttanad region also needs to be completed. Dredging in the 15-kilometre stretch from Akkulam to Ashtamudi Lake is yet to finish.

Walkways need to be dismantled and rebuilt from Kottapuram to Chettur. Around 1523 families need to be relocated as part of the West Coast waterway project. Among them, 593 families are included in the first phase of the waterway project, which opens in September. Ninety-four per cent of the relocation of these families has been completed until now. The compensation includes Rs 11 lakh and the value of the house. Meanwhile, Rs 550 has been estimated as the total expenses for completing the project in this route.

KIIFB has been releasing the project funds. Meanwhile, the construction is done by Kerala Waterways and Infrastructures Limited (KWIL) under the Cochin International Airport Limited. A light and sound show, too, will be arranged for the boat passengers inside the 350-metre-long Chilakkoor tunnel.

Next phase to get difficult
Relocating 930 families in the Kovalam—Akkulam route in the next phase of development is quite challenging. Besides, new canals need to be built in three areas in the Mahe-Valapattanam route and one area in the Nileshwaram—Bakel region.