3 months ago
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The renovation of the Chilakoor passageway successful Varkala arsenic portion of the Akkulam-Chettuva Waterway is expected to springiness a boost to water-based tourism.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan volition inaugurate a drawstring of tourism initiatives connected the picturesque Chilakoor Beach successful Varkala connected February 26, 2026 arsenic portion of the inauguration of the archetypal signifier of the Akkulam-Chettuva Waterway.
The passageway renovation enactment has been carried retired by the Kerala Waterways Infrastructure Limited (KWIL), a associated task of the State authorities and the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL). A 350-metre engineering marvel, the Chilakoor passageway built during the reign of the erstwhile Travancore kings for end-to-end inland navigation successful the kingdom, has been restored arsenic portion of the State government’s Inland Waterways improvement project.
Coinciding with the inauguration, the CIAL volition motorboat an electrical vessel thrust and a ‘Light and Sound Show’ highlighting the beingness and teachings of societal reformer Sree Narayana Guru. The amusement volition besides spotlight Guru’s adjacent relation with Varkala, the practice of the country and the taste bequest of Kerala. The show, equipped with mapping exertion connected the tunnel’s surface, has been designed and executed astatine a outgo of ₹4.5 crore and is the archetypal afloat digitised tourism-oriented spectacle successful the State.
According to S. Suhas, Director, KWIL, the passageway has re-emerged arsenic a landmark practice destination. Considering its logistical and humanities significance, the passageway aboveground has not been disturbed by immoderate embedded fixtures, Mr. Suhas said. “Visitors tin acquisition the amusement portion riding on the passageway successful a specially designed 20-seat electrical boat, made by the Kochi-based start-up NavAlt Green Mobility. The vessel is equipped with 4 high-intensity imported laser projectors, precocious onboard dependable systems, and artillery power, ensuring a synchronised and eco-friendly ocular spectacle,” helium added.
A vessel jetty and a formation parkland are besides being acceptable up. The 280-km Akkulam-Chettuva Waterway is simply a large constituent of the government’s flagship West Coast Canal Renovation project, which is expected to accelerate Kerala’s sustainable and inclusive improvement by opening up immense opportunities successful aggregate sectors, including logistics and tourism.
