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Alappuzha-Kollam luxury boat service begins

Photo: By Special Arrangement.

New wave: Coir and Cooperation Minister G. Sudhakaran and Transport Minister Jose Thettayil, along with A.A. Shukoor, MLA, on the Alappuzha-Kollam luxury boat on Tuesday. —

ALAPPUZHA: Protracted, unfruitful research by the Inland Water Navigation authorities of the Centre has resulted in the immense tourism potential of the Kollam-Kottapuram national waterway remaining unutilised, Transport Minister Jose Thettayil has said.

Re-launching the Alappuzha-Kollam luxury boat service of the State Water Transport Department (SWTD), which was defunct for 14 years, here on Tuesday, Mr. Thettayil said the Kollam-Kottapuram national waterway held as much tourism potential as the Alappuzha-Kollam route. However, the continuing studies by Inland Water Navigation authorities and the “flimsy reasons” they found to be obstructing the completion of the waterway had resulted in the ambitious project remaining a non-starter.

The State was trying to speed up the project, he said. Mr. Thettayil, said the SWTD, the nerve-centre of water transport in the State, was making efforts to attract tourists by launching eco-friendly boats for services, with a special emphasis on safety. Coir and Cooperation Minister G. Sudhakaran flagged off the service.

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Alappuzha-Kollam luxury boat service begins

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