VAST POTENTIAL FOR WATER TRANSPORT IN KERALA

Kerala has vast untapped water resources which can be effectively used as an alternative for road transport. We have about 1500 kilo meters of inland water ways. Almost the entire length of Kerala can be used as high density water channel for the movement of goods and passengers. Optimum utilization of this natural gift can bring down the density of traffic on the roads. Over 4000 human beings are falling dead and over 50,000 are injured on our roads every year. This can be checked at least to some extent.

We should make multi pronged efforts to achieve the projected  distance from Kovalam to Bakel (Kasergod). Primarily the missing links must be connected on top most priority. The weeds must be removed and dredging should be arranged to maintain the required depth. However, the most important is to make available large numbers of boats for various purposes. Wide bottom boats which have less chances of accidents must be preferred. We should have 4 seater, 10/12 seater, 30/40 seater and 80/100 seater boats for various purposes for passengers and small, medium and large boats for goods movement.LPG tanks can also be transported by boats. The state government should immediately identify at least three reputed parties for manufacturing the boats within the state. The manufacturers must be entrusted with the repair and maintenance too.

The entire work of dredging of the missing lengths, construction of jetties, clearing of the weeds, maintenance of the entire waterways etc can be  given to one or two parties on BOT formats too for a given period of time. They can recoup the sum through registration of boats, annual taxes, jetty fees etc from boat operators. Other means can also be considered.

Kerala's leading daily, Malayala Manorama has presented extensive reports on the matter and submitted to the State Government. Leaving the conventional approach, the government should take red hot priority to the matter and ensure that in 24 months the entire proposal should be made operational. Employment opportunity will be there for a considerable number of people from various categories.

KV George
kvgeorgein@gmail.com