KERALA'S INLAND WATER TRANSPORT NETWORK: MAJOR CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS

Kerala enjoys the unique advantage of a 590-km coastline and nearly 1,687 km of inland water transport (IWT) routes.

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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