Chief Minister inaugurates Akkulam-Chettuva Waterway Phase-I

Trivandrum / February 26, 2026

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb. 26: Noting that the 280-km Akkulam-Chettuva Waterway marks a milestone in inland navigation development of Kerala, Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan today said the historic waterway will be extended up to Vizhinjam International Port.

“This linkage will pave the way for a strong multi-model logistic network in the state,” Shri Vijayan said while inaugurating the first phase of Akkulam-Chettuva Waterway at Chilakoor Beach Park at Varkala near here. Shri V Joy, MLA, presided over the function.

The Chief Minister also launched the Chilakoor Tourism Project, and a string of other development initiatives completed by the Inland Navigation Department as part of the West Coast Canal Renovation project.

Shri Vijayan also took a ride in a solar-powered boat launched by CIAL through Chilakoor Tunnel.

The project is being implemented by Kerala Waterways Infrastructure Limited (KWIL), a joint venture formed in 2018 by the state government and the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL).

“Akkulam-Chettuva Waterway is part of the 616-km Kovalam–Bekal Waterway project which links lakes, rivers and man-made canals across the entire stretch of the state. Extending the waterway to Vizhinjam Port will attract more investments, besides enabling industries to thrive,” Shri Vijayan observed.

 He said the state government had allotted an outlay of Rs 325 crore for the Phase-1 of the West Coast Canal Renovation, of which Rs 150 crore was earmarked for rehabilitation of 579 families.

The waterway will give a boost to the water-based tourism also as it will be a unique experience for tourists. Massive infrastructure activities, including building of boat jetties and beautification of tourism destinations are in progress, the Chief Minister said.

He exuded confidence that the Chettuva-Bakel waterway would be completed within the time limit set for it.  The Vadakara–Mahe Canal will be developed on par with national standard, as part of the project.

CIAL will be conducting a gliding light-and-sound show in the tunnel, highlighting a 3D video of Kerala’s history and a six-minute visual spectacle about the life and teachings of Sree Narayana Guru.

The show, powered by mapping technology on the tunnel’s surface, has been designed and executed at a cost of Rs 4.5 crore. 

Shri Joy said the project will bring benefit to the local community and rehabilitation process of families in the area will be completed in a time-bound manner.

In his welcome address, Shri S Suhas, IAS, Director, KWIL, said construction of a massive infrastructure base across multiple locations, including bridges and boat jetties, besides canal dredging and canal-side beautification are under way as part of West Coast Canal Renovation Project. 

At the function, Shri Suhas, and Shri Harshil R Meena, IAS, Director, Kerala Hydel Tourism Centre, exchanged an MoU for implementation of the Chilakoor tourism project and launch of solar-powered electric boat service at Chilakoor Beach.

Smt V Priyadarshini, District Panchayat President; Smt Geetha Hemachandran, Chairperson, Varkala Municipality; and Swami Subhamgananda, General Secretary, Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham Trust, Sivagiri, also spoke.

Shri Suresh Kumar S, Chief Engineer, KWIL, proposed a vote of thanks. The inaugural ceremony was followed by ‘Kerala Fusion’ programme.

Akkulam-Chettuva Waterway covers a major stretch of the West Coast Canal Renovation project aimed at creating the state-wide inland navigation system by linking rivers, backwaters and canals for hassle-free passenger and freight movement.

CIAL has been entrusted with the renovation of the Chilakoor Tunnel in Varkala, a vital link of inland navigation in south Kerala, along with tourism-oriented beautification works to tap into the potential of the scenic site to attract visitors.

The 280-km Akkulam-Chettuva Waterway, spanning across different districts, is a major stretch of the state government’s flagship West Coast Canal Renovation project, which is set to accelerate Kerala’s sustainable and inclusive development by unlocking immense opportunities in multiple verticals.

Built in 1876, Chilakoor Tunnel is a 340-metre engineering marvel, aimed at facilitating hassle-free end-to-end inland navigation of the erstwhile princely state of Travancore. The canal has been restored to navigable condition as part of the state government’s Inland Waterways development project.

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