The Hindu : Kerala News : VS visits Sivagiri tunnel

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Saturday, Oct 20, 2007
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Kerala

VS visits Sivagiri tunnel

Staff Reporter

One of the main bottlenecks on
the route
“Link to National Waterway III in two years”

Varkala: Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan on Friday took a cruise ride to the Sivagiri tunnel to carry out inspection of the 127-year-old tunnel as part of the efforts to develop the 12.7-km stretch between Nadayara and Kozhithottam kayals of the Thiruvananthapuram-Kollam section of the T.S. Canal.

Accompanied by the Advisor to the Government on Inland Waterways, Admiral B.R. Menon, the Chief Minister went 400 metre into the 722-metre-long tunnel in a row boat of the District Tourism Promotion Council. The tunnel, which was out of bounds for boats and vessels since 1970, was dredged for the Chief Minister’s visit.

The Sivagiri tunnel and the 355-metre-long Chilakoor tunnels in the stretch are the main bottlenecks in the waterway.

Taken up during the period of Ayilyam Tirunal, the Sivagiri tunnel was completed in 20 years. A concrete lining was provided to the tunnel in1942 by the authorities to strengthen the walls.

Later, addressing a press conference at the Guest House, the Chief Minister said the aim of the government was to commence boat services and passage of cargo vessels through the stretch and to link it to National Waterway III within two years. The government would soon invite tenders for developing the stretch.

Mr. Achuthanandan said the canal would be widened up to 14 m and the drift would be increased by 2 m.

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