T’puram: The development of the crucial 16km Kovalam–Akkulam stretch of the ambitious West Coast Canal project on Parvathy Puthanar canal has come to a standstill, with prolonged delays in land acquisition, rehabilitation and funding holding up one of the state’s most significant inland water transport initiatives.Kovalam–Akkulam corridor, forming part of the larger Kovalam–Bekal inland waterway, was expected to be among the priority projects under state govt’s plan to revive Kerala’s historic inland navigation network. However, despite repeated announcements and the completion of a detailed project report (DPR), little physical progress has been made on the ground.According to sources in Kerala Waterways Infrastructure Ltd (KWIL), the implementing agency, nearly 60% of the land acquisition process has been completed, but the remaining portions continue to be stalled due to rehabilitation issues involving families living on govt puramboke land.Official estimates show that 494 families are residing on encroached govt land in the project corridor without legal land titles. While 425 families have agreed to accept a rehabilitation package of Rs 11 lakh each, the remaining 69 families, largely within Thiruvananthapuram corporation limits, are demanding Rs 20 lakh, citing the higher cost of acquiring alternative housing within the city.The unresolved compensation dispute has significantly delayed the rehabilitation process, preventing authorities from completing land acquisition and commencing canal development works in several stretches.Private land acquisition has largely been completed in Kadakampally, Pettah and Thiruvallam villages, where compensation disbursal is progressing. However, acquisition in Muttathara remains pending as revenue authorities continue a resurvey of several land parcels. Officials indicate that the remaining acquisition could take several more months before construction activities can begin.“The land acquisition process is around 60% complete. Urban rehabilitation is always challenging because families have lived along the canal for decades. Discussions with the remaining beneficiaries are continuing, and the project will move forward once the pending rehabilitation issues are resolved,” KWIL sources said.DPR for rejuvenating the canal has already been prepared by National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) at an estimated cost of Rs 183.5 crore and submitted to Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) for funding approval. Structural designs have also been completed, but the project has yet to move into the execution phase.KWIL officials said an estimated Rs 17 crore was initially earmarked for completing the remaining land acquisition and rehabilitation, which was later revised to around Rs 24 crore. However, they said no funds beyond an initial allocation of Rs 10 crore have been released so far, resulting in further delays to the rehabilitation process.“The revised estimate for land acquisition and rehabilitation has already been submitted. The delay is mainly due to the pending release of funds. We expect the issue to be resolved soon, after which the remaining acquisition and rehabilitation can be completed and the project can move forward without further delay,” a KWIL official said.The canal revival project proposes widening and dredging the waterway, constructing retaining walls, developing boat jetties and pedestrian bridges, and improving landscaping along the banks to create a navigable inland water corridor linking Kovalam with Akkulam and the Veli backwaters.Ironically, while Kovalam–Akkulam section remains stalled, progress has been considerably better in Akkulam–Varkala stretch of the West Coast Canal. Following the formation of the new state govt, transport minister C P John recently announced plans to introduce boat services along completed stretches as part of efforts to promote inland water transport and tourism.The contrast has raised concerns over the future of the southernmost section, which is regarded as the gateway to the entire West Coast Canal project. Without completing Kovalam–Akkulam link, the vision of providing seamless inland water connectivity from Thiruvananthapuram to northern Kerala will remain incomplete.Once completed, the corridor will form part of Kerala’s proposed 590km inland waterway network, aimed at reducing road congestion, promoting environmentally sustainable transport, strengthening cargo movement and boosting backwater tourism.
