Kovalam-Kasargod Waterway to be ready by 2020

Thiruvananthapuram: Kovalam-Kollam-Kottapuram-Kasaragod waterway is expected to be operational by 2020, said  Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan.

“It is State’s dream project and will facilitate water transport, development of feeder canals and spur tourism development in a big way along the two banks”, Pinarayi said in a reply to Assembly query on Tuesday.

Presently the Indland Waerways Authority of India has made 168 km Kollam-Kottapuram stretch navigable.

The govt sanction is through for development of Kozhikode-Nileshwaran reach and Rs 80 crore has been allotted for development of Kovalam-Pavathyputhanar-Kollam stretch.

Hurdles at Varkala tunnel are being examined where experts of Konkan Railway studied the spot situation.

Works of canals in Alappuzha will be completed separately, the minister said.