Kerala to Inaugurate First Phase of West Coast Canal Waterway Project on February 26

Thiruvananthapuram: The first phase of the Akkulam–Chettuva waterway, part of Kerala’s West Coast Canal project aimed at improving inland water transport, will be inaugurated on February 26, officials said.

The 280-km canal stretch connects Akkulam in Thiruvananthapuram with Chettuva in Thrissur. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the project, along with several works completed by the Inland Navigation Department and the Chilakkur tourism project.

The West Coast Canal modernisation is being implemented by Kerala Waterways Infrastructure Limited (KWIL), a joint venture between the state government and Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL).

The larger project aims to develop the Kovalam–Bekal corridor by linking rivers, backwaters and canals across 11 districts into a continuous inland waterway. The plan is to support both cargo movement and tourism while ensuring round-the-clock navigation.

The renovation of the Akkulam–Chettuva stretch marks the first completed phase of the overall canal development project.