Silt deposits stall SWTD’s most sought-after Alappuzha-Kollam cruise service

Alappuzha: The Kerala State Water Transport Department (SWTD) is encountering persistent challenges in resuming boat services on Alappuzha-Kollam waterway. The operational issues are mainly due to siltation at various points. The officials said that silt deposits at Chavarthodu, Kanjippadam, Karumadithodu, etc, result in the formation of sandbanks and have rendered the route unnavigable. “An attempted trial service by SWTD found itself stranded in the Ashtamudi Lake bed near Thevally, leading to the abandonment of plans to resume boat services,” said an official.

While blaming the “apathy” of the Irrigation Department and the National Inland Waterway Authority for failing to take measures to make the route navigable, the official also highlighted the hindrance caused by the footbridge at Kovilthottam, restricting the passage of boats wider than four meters and impeding plans to deploy new boats.

When contacted, a senior official of the National Inland Waterway Authority said they would carry out dredging in the affected sections soon. Sanction for the project has been received, he said. “We will float the revised tender to dredge the affected sections along the National Waterways 3 in a day or two. No one came forward when the tender was floated earlier and now we have revised the rates. Hopefully this time, the project will be implemented,” the official attached with the Hydrographic Section, Kochi Regional Office, said.

Recognizing the route's popularity, the state government has already proposed a night service from Alappuzha to Kollam and then to Ernakulam. However, challenges such as the lack of uniformity in the water route, insufficient infrastructure for long-distance tourist operations, and the requirement for a minimum speed of seven nautical miles per hour for long-haul services have complicated the implementation of the scheme.

The SWTD even submitted a report expressing concerns about the technical glitches and operational viability arising from the necessity for boats to navigate certain stretches slowly. “Even if one is to operate a boat along the route, the vessel will have to move very slowly along several stretches en route. This will lead to technical glitches while also affecting the operational viability,” noted another official.

Following the trial run, the SWTD recommended the immediate restoration of the route through the construction of protection embankments and the elevation of certain bridges while deepening certain sections, especially river mouths such as Thottapally. However, the National Inland Waterway Authority dismissed the recommendations and asserted that the waterway was in good condition.

The double-decker boat, accommodating 75 passengers, used to depart from Alappuzha at 10.30 am to reach Kollam by 5 pm. It served as an affordable and enjoyable mode of transport through famous lakes like Vembanad, Kayamkulam, and Ashtamudi. During peak tourist seasons, the SWTD operating the service, used to collect an average of Rs 60,000 per day.

“We had an unforgettable experience travelling on the longest water route in the state. But the service couldn’t be resumed after the pandemic. The authorities should take immediate action to make the route navigable,” said Kiran Kumar, a techie with a software company based in Cherthala Infopark.