The Hindu Business Line : Kerala water transport operators call for canals to link waterways

The inland water transport operators in the State have reiterated their demand to deepen the National Waterways No-3 to two metres and to provide night navigation facilities for the smooth movement of cargo through the waterways.

Mr John Mathews, Director of the Kochi-based Lots Shipping Ltd, said protests from local fisherfolk in various areas on dredging works is hampering the development works of waterways in several stretches and the Government should take necessary steps to make the NW-3 from Kollam to Kottappuram navigable.

Speaking to reporters to announce the launch of the company's new 450 DWT cargo-cum-container barge constructed at its facility in Edakochi, Mr Mathews said there were several bottlenecks that needed to be addressed by the authorities on the waterways.

Develop State canals

Apart from this, the Government should also come out with a concrete proposal to develop the State canals to provide a link to the existing waterways as it forms a part of the total transport network.

The development of NW-3 will result in rural development and create employment potential as Inland Waterways Authority of India has already constructed terminals at different locations between Kottappuram and Kollam for cargo handling. Moreover, the development of Vallarpadam container transhipment terminal will require transportation of containers from the hinterlands of Kochi.

NW-3 an important link

For this purpose, he pointed out that NW-3 could be used for moving containers from different locations in barges. NW-3 runs almost parallel to NH-47, which is a big advantage for shippers who wish to move from road and rail to inland water transport. And more importantly, the Government should instruct the public sector companies to opt for barging for moving their products and raw materials, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr A.M. James, General Manager of the company, said the new barge - Bharatapuzha - to be launched on Saturday, would be its eighth inland water barge.

It is a flat bottom dry cargo-cum-container barge propelled by two engines. This is the first barge in Kerala built under the capital subsidy scheme of Inland Waterways Authority of India. It was constructed at Master Shipyard floated by Lots in 2004 for vessel building and repair.