The Hindu Business Line : Kerala Govt will give priority to waterway schemes: CM

The Chief Minister, Mr V.S. Achutanandan, greets people from a tourist boat after inaugurating the Kollam-Kottapuram National Waterway III in Kochi on Tuesday.

Our Bureau

Kochi, Nov. 20

The State Government has accorded top priority for the development of waterways as it involves transportation of goods and people at economical rates thereby reducing traffic congestion as well as road accidents.

Speaking after inaugurating the 205-km-long National Waterway No. III between Kollam and Kottapuram here on Tuesday, the Chief Minister, Mr V.S. Achuthanandan, said that efforts are being made to link navigable regional canals with NW III, so that it can be used to carry goods and passengers.

He also pointed out that three canals have to be made, to extend the waterways up to Neeleshwaram and a project report in this regard will be submitted to the Centre shortly. He also said that the work on state waterway between Kollam and Kovalam had already commenced.

Optimal use

Seeking the co-operation of businessmen, tour operators to make optimal use of the State’s waterways, he said that the Kovalam-Neeleshwaram waterway stretch will be ready in two years time. The Chief Minister also flagged off a hydrochloric acid barge of Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC) at the IWAI Terminal in Maradu near here.

In an effort to popularise the inland waterway usage, KSINC is providing different barges/passenger vessels. Barges weighing up to 500 tonnes can now use NW III, which has been widened to 32 metres, with a depth of 2.2 metres.

A sum of Rs 85 crore has been spent on dredging and allied matters. As many as seven terminals have been built along the waterway. Aimed at ensuring navigation at night, steps are being taken to install solar lamps along the waterway.

Tourist attraction

The Chief Minister said that the 12th Finance Commission has set apart Rs 225 crore for the development of waterways in the State. There was also a proposal to connect the international airport and the seaport in Kochi through waterways. Central funds are awaited for the project, which will also become a tourist attraction.

Referring to the traffic snarls in Kochi, the Chief Minister said that the Government is seriously thinking of building new over bridges and a suburban-rail network here as there is a need to evolve a comprehensive plan to tide over the situation.