Heralding a new era

In addition to the National Waterway (NW) 3 which passes through the district, the two new national waterways--Alappuzha-Kottayam-Athirampuzha Canal (NW-9) and the Alappuzha- Changanassery Canal (NW-8)--will herald a new era in water transport in this part of the region.

Both waterways are connected to the NW Three and, once fully operational, would help to augment eco-friendly and economic mode of transportation of cargo and people between places. The NW-9 is 38 km long, while NW-8 has a length of 28 km. The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has taken up the development of NW-9 in the initial phase.

Recently, in a written reply to a question raised by K.C. Venugopal, MP, regarding national waterways projects in Kerala, Minister of State for Shipping Mansukh L. Mandaviya had told Parliament that the preparation of detailed project reports (DPRs) for NW-9, NW-8 and Kottayam-Vaikom Canal (NW-59) had been sanctioned.

The Minister said that the NW-9 was proposed to be developed at an estimated cost of ₹1.6 crore. “Tendering for night navigation facilities has been completed,” he said.

Besides, to ensure safety of the existing vessel operations on NW-9, development works including dredging have also been taken up by the IWAI. He said that the Ministry of Shipping had sanctioned an amount of ₹38 crore for the reconstruction of lock gate at Thrikkunnapuzha on NW 3.

Meanwhile, IWAI officials said that various works related to the NW-3 were completed in the district and the waterway is fully operational. To facilitate the transshipment of cargo, IWAI has constructed four terminals along NW-3 in the district at Kayamkulam, Thanneermukkom, Thrikkunnapuzha and Alappuzha.

The terminals are mainly aimed at serving the interest of coir product manufacturers, fisheries sector and PSUs in the region. Twenty four-hour navigation aids comprising of navigational buoys and solar operated LED lights are also being provided in the entire stretch of NW-3.