The Hindu : Kerala News : Waterways can be a viable alternative peoplespeak

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Sunday, Oct 28, 2007
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Kerala

Kerala

Waterways can be a viable alternative peoplespeak

The Kollam-Kottapuram stretch of National Waterway III is set for commissioning, kindling hopes of a cheaper, environment-friendly, and fuel-efficient mode of transport that can also promote tourism. Does inland water transport have the potential to emerge as a major mode of transport in Kerala, which has 10 per cent of India’s navigable waterways. Our readers respond:

WIN-WIN SITUATION: Waterways will be a way out of traffic congestion and pollution associated with road transport in Kerala.

Immense potential

The decision to make operational the Kollam-Kottapuram stretch of National Waterway III is welcome. Inland water transport is widely accepted as environment-friendly and fuel-efficient mode of transport. It would provide employment to nearly two lakh people in the State, if implemented. It also has immense tourism potential and the potential. Water transport should be developed in the State as our roads are always bad. Our railway stations and bus stations are over crowded. A good chunk of goods transport through the waterways will help ease congestion on roads.

Abdul Rasik C.

Kannur

Study all aspects

The proposal to develop a waterway from Kasaragod to Kovalam appears to be very attractive. Its feasibility and actual utility in terms of cost and benefit should but be thoroughly investigated. The 168-km Kollam-Kottapuram waterway is feasible because only a few linkage canals are required to connect the already existing chain of water bodies that run parallel to the coast.

Work to link the water bodies from Kottapuram to Valapatanam and from Kollam to Kovalam will require huge investments. It will also disturb the soil and land.

The impact of such large-scale disturbance, induced by human activity, should be studied in detail. The possibility of the general public utilising the waterway should also be explored. There should be concern for safety.

There should be scientific means to predict the weather conditions.

The waterway will be helpful in the transportation of goods. It will be cheaper to transport goods through waterways. But, to compete with the existing modes of transport, water transport should be made economical and reliable. Such big projects should not be allowed to go astray due to non use as the tax payers’ money is involved.

The government should also think of developing on the existing infrastructure to meet the increasing traffic load.

K.V. Ravindran

Payyannur

Ideal solution

There is little doubt that the people of the State will wholeheartedly welcome the move to popularise water transport. Waterways are being proposed and implemented at a time when most roads in the State are in a pathetic condition. With the commissioning of Kollam-Kottapuram stretch of National Waterway III, the demand for similar routes will surely shoot up. This will popularise water transport as a cheap and reliable mode of transport. For a State burdened with a vast vehicle population and ill-maintained roads, water transport is the ideal solution. The chances of collision are also remote.

Fuel efficiency is an additional advantage.

Our roads are choked and driving is a dreadful experience. Time and fuel are wasted. With the option of waterways open, people will switch over to this most comfortable and cheap mode of transport. Consequently, the current rush witnessed in trains and buses will be eased. The tourism sector too will benefit from the move. The keen interest the Chief Minister has taken in the matter is commendable.

N.K.Vijayan

Kizhakkambalam

Revive waterways

There was a time in the history of Kerala when the State mainly depended on water ways for passenger and goods transport.

In the backdrop of heavy traffic on land, it is better that we revive our abandoned inland navigation which will be cheaper, environment friendly, and fuel efficient.

It will also provide job opportunity and promote tourism.

V.P. Ramesan

Thripunithura

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