The Hindu Business Line : Kerala waterway launch today

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov. 19 The National Waterway-III between Kollam and Kottapuram, the first such project in the South, will be inaugurated on Tuesday.

The Kollam-Kottapuram waterway was announced in 1993 and it covers a distance of 205 km. This is the first phase of the project which was originally slated to be completed in 2005. The Chief Minister, Mr V.S. Achuthanandan, will inaugurate the waterway at Kannadikadavu near Kochi.

The waterway is expected to facilitate significant growth in the areas of cargo movement and tourism in the State. For one, the movement of cargo through the waterway will be complementary to other development projects in Kochi such as the container terminal at Vallarpadam, according to an official statement.

The studies conducted prior to the implementation of the project have stated that the cargo movement through the waterway will be cheaper and devoid of environmental pollution. It will also promote tourism as the backwaters of the State are a major attraction to foreign tourists.

11 terminals

The waterway will feature 11 cargo terminals. Of them, the terminal at the northern end of Kottapuram was completed two years ago. It cost Rs 1.35 crore, including Rs 45 lakh for acquisition of land. The terminal has a jetty for barges and provides resting place for around 100 labourers.