The proposed Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod waterway could change the face of transportation in Kerala
Imagine stepping out of an air-port and setting foot straight into a houseboat to enjoy the lush greenery of Kerala. Wait three years, and you can experience what it feels like.
The state government has green lighted an ambitious waterway project connecting Thiruvananthapuram, the southernmost district in the state, to Kasaragod, the northernmost. Cochin International Airport Ltd has been tasked with executing the project by forming a special purpose vehicle, in which the government and CIAL have 49 per cent stake each. The remaining 2 per cent will go to private players. The government plans to raise the project cost of 06,000 crore through either Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board or foreign agencies.
Personally supervising the project is Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who has become more firm and confident after the High Court, on August 23, upheld a CBI special court order clearing him of all charges levelled against him in the SNC-Lavalin corruption case. Vijayan has set 2020 as the deadline for completion. “The CM has made it clear that he wants to travel from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram through the waterway in 2020,” said Major Dinesh Bhaskaran, additional private secretary in the chief minister’s office, who is coordinating all projects undertaken by the government.
This story is from the September 24, 2017 edition of THE WEEK.
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This story is from the September 24, 2017 edition of THE WEEK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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