| Kollam Canal | |
|---|---|
 Kollam Canal atEravipuram | |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 7.69 km (4.78 miles) (Part ofNational Waterway-3) |
| Status | Under renovation |
| Navigation authority | Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation |
| History | |
| Date of first use | 1880 (1880) |
| Geography | |
| Start point | Ashtamudi Lake (in the North) |
| End point | Paravur Lake (in the South) |
Kollam Canal orQuilon Canal or Kollam Thodu is a 7.7 km long canal system passing through the city ofKollam,India. It is a part ofNational Waterway-3 and 78 km longKollam-Trivandrum (Kovalam) State waterway project.[1][2]
The Kollam canal was built on 1880 and is a bustling part of 560 km longThiruvananthapuram–Shoranur canal(TS Canal) waterway project, also used as a means for transport of both people and goods, as an avenue for leisure and the water even used for irrigation and drinking.[3][4] Kollam Canal was an arterial inland waterway of oldQuilon city. It was the major trade channel ofTravancore state that time.[5] Giant cargo vessels ferrying different types of goods through this canal were a common view ofQuilon city those days.Chamakada section of the canal served as a harbour for unloading the goods brought by these vessels toKollam. Processed cashew from various factories in theCashew Capital along with other goods from the wholesale markets of oldQuilon city for export was the major export material handled atChamakada that time.[6]
Kollam Canal is a part of Kollam Canal development project. Authorities have already spent₹13 crore on renovating and reviving Kollam Canal.[7] There are several ferry stations and jetty along this 7.7 km stretch. The Kollam Canal development project is expected to meet the water transportation and irrigation needs of the people ofKollam Urban Agglomeration in future.
The canal is connectingAsramam,Cutchery,Chamakada,Pallithottam,Kochupilamoodu,Mundakkal,Eravipuram,Mayyanad, Thanni &Paravur inKollam Metropolitan Area. Along with Kollam Canal,National Waterway 3 andInland Waterways Authority of India are also servingKollam Metropolitan Area.[8][9]
The transportation system through Kollam Canal is intended for providing facilities for passenger and cargo transportation at cheaper rates. The waterway has tremendous tourism potential too. It connectsAshtamudi Lake withVarkala,Kovalam,Kadinamkulam throughParavur kayal andTS Canal.
A full-fledged intra-city water transportation system, as like the one existing in the city ofVenice can be implemented inKollam Metropolitan Area. The canal is suitable for launchingWater Metro inKollam. It is also a crucial link to connectKollam Port with theInland Waterways Authority of India's Kollam Inland Terminal.
The development activities of Kollam Thodu is happening in a very slow pace. There are allegations about sand mining happening instead of channel development and misappropriation of development funds. The canal is used as dumping ground in various parts by shops and establishments in the area.[10] A bridge which was under construction over Kollam Canal nearChamakada called Kallupalam collapsed while construction injuring a worker.[11]
