Kerala’s Inland Water Transport Network: Major Challenges and Solutions
By
Shri V P Nandakumar,
Chairman and Managing Director, Manappuram Finance Ltd.
Kerala enjoys the unique advantage of a 590-km coastline and nearly 1,687 km of inland water transport (IWT) routes. The network comprises the main arterial West Coast Canal (WCC) and several feeder canals. The Kovalam–Bekal WCC, which forms part of National Waterway-3, connects Kasaragod in the north to Kovalam in the south, covering approximately 616 km as per current alignment plans.
Kerala’s IWT system includes rivers, canals, and backwaters. Historically, these waterways played a pivotal role in the state’s trade and commerce, carrying people and goods from the hilly regions to the western coast. The mode offered natural advantages over early road and rail systems. Even today, IWT remains the most energy- and cost-efficient means of transport, ideally suited for cargo movement and, in many regions, for human mobility.
The network continues to hold immense potential for passenger services, tourism, and freight operations. Its backbone comprises 41 west-flowing rivers originating in the Western Ghats and feeding into extensive backwaters. Navigable rivers constitute roughly half of Kerala’s total waterways, which are further interlinked through inland canals.
Why Water Transport Matters Now More Than Ever
Kerala’s extremely high population density makes expansion of the existing road network a formidable challenge. National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) widening projects frequently face delays arising from land acquisition costs and displacement concerns. Although conditions have improved marginally in recent years, road expansion remains a major bottleneck.
Compounding this is Kerala’s unusually high automobile density—particularly two-wheelers and light motor vehicles. As a consumption-driven economy, the state has witnessed consistent year-on-year growth in vehicle sales. The combination of high population, high vehicle ownership, and traffic congestion leaves limited scope for further road widening.
Railway development faces similar constraints. Land availability and resettlement challenges slow down expansion plans and make new alignments difficult to execute. Against this backdrop, water transport emerges as a compelling solution to ease congestion on both road and rail. Water-based mobility has two components—inland water transport and coastal shipping. When integrated, both offer safe, green, and economical alternatives for moving people and cargo. The success of the Kochi Water Metro stands as a strong example.
Progress and Persistent Gaps
The perspective plans of the Kerala Government have outlined a long-term roadmap for developing the IWT system. While notable progress has been achieved—such as upgrading canal stretches, modernising the fleet, establishing the State Maritime Board, and setting up training centres—several critical gaps remain. These include the expansion of feeder canals, systematic dredging, and the revival of old ports and terminals. Customs clearance facilities envisaged for inland ports and terminals have yet to be realised.
Infrastructure Bottlenecks along the Waterways
Many feeder canals suffer from navigational constraints such as shallow depths, narrow summer channels, siltation, bank erosion, and inadequate terminal infrastructure. The WCC itself is not fully operational owing to such bottlenecks.
There are, however, promising developments. The Akkulam–Chettuva stretch of the WCC is expected to become operational by December 2025 or early 2026, supported by an investment of about ₹300 crore to ensure navigability. Phase II—focused primarily on land acquisition and rehabilitation—is progressing.
Kerala hosts two major ports, at Vallarpadam (Kochi) and Vizhinjam (Thiruvananthapuram), along with 16 non-major ports. With the commissioning of the Vizhinjam International Seaport, the relevance of inland waterways has increased substantially. Kerala also possesses several all-weather canals that remain navigable even during summer, providing excellent continuity for year-round operations.
The Way Forward: Funding and Sustainability
For Kerala’s IWT system to evolve into a fully functional, commercially viable mode of transport, the network must first be developed to a threshold level through public investment, which will in turn attract private capital. Innovative financing options—such as KIIFB and foreign investment—can be effectively leveraged. Importantly, IWT projects qualify for green funding, as they reduce the carbon footprint by shifting portions of passenger and freight movement from fuel-intensive road and rail networks to environmentally friendly waterways.
Pic Courtesy: pegasus/ images are subject to copyright
