Kerala's Ambitious Waterway Project Faces Critical Land Acquisition Delays in Capital District
Even as the first phase of Kerala's transformative Kovalam–Bekal West Coast Canal project, spanning from Akkulam in Thiruvananthapuram to Chettuva in Thrissur, is scheduled for inauguration on February 26 by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, significant uncertainty continues to overshadow the crucial Kovalam–Akkulam stretch of the Parvathy Puthanar canal within the capital district. This uncertainty stems primarily from persistent delays in completing the essential land acquisition process.
Vital Link Stalled by Compensation Disputes
The Kovalam–Akkulam corridor is widely recognized as a vital and indispensable link within the larger west coast inland navigation network envisioned by the state government. However, progress on widening the historic Parvathy Puthanar canal has dramatically slowed due to unresolved issues concerning families residing on puramboke land (government-owned land) along the canal banks.
According to official government estimates, a total of 494 families are currently living on encroached government land within the designated project area, all lacking legal land ownership documents. Of this total, 425 families have accepted a consolidated compensation package of Rs 11 lakh each. The remaining 69 families, many of whom reside within the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation limits, are demanding a significantly higher compensation of Rs 20 lakh each. They cite substantially higher land values and increased rehabilitation costs associated with urban areas as justification for their demand.
Complex Negotiations and Extended Timelines
Revenue authorities are actively continuing negotiations with these 69 families. Officials involved in the process now indicate that completing the land acquisition for this critical urban stretch could require at least an additional six months, potentially delaying the overall project timeline.
In contrast, the acquisition of private land in the villages of Kadakampally, Thiruvallam, and Pettah has been successfully completed, and the disbursal of compensation to landowners is currently underway. However, in Muttathara village, the acquisition process remains pending as a detailed resurvey of certain land parcels is still in progress.
The mandatory Section 11(1) notification under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Act has already been formally published for the villages of Kadakampally, Pettah, and Thiruvallam. Meanwhile, digital survey procedures are advancing in Muttathara village to finalize the land records.
Project Implementation and Historical Context
The massive Rs 183.5 crore canal revival project is being implemented by Kerala Waterways Infrastructure Ltd (KWIL), the state-run special purpose vehicle specifically tasked with developing inland waterways infrastructure across Kerala. A senior KWIL official expressed the agency's ongoing confidence in resolving the pending land issues.
"Land acquisition in urban stretches is always inherently complex, especially in cases involving families who have been settled in an area for decades. We are working closely and cooperatively with the district administration to ensure the provision of fair compensation and appropriate rehabilitation for all affected parties," the official stated.
For many decades, the Parvathy Puthanar canal, which forms an integral part of the historic West Coast Canal system, suffered from severe encroachments, rampant untreated sewage discharge, and general neglect. This degradation rendered large portions of the waterway completely unnavigable.
The comprehensive revival plan aims to widen and dredge the canal, construct robust retaining walls, develop modern boat jetties and pedestrian bridges, and significantly improve landscaping along the banks. The ultimate goal is to transform the waterway into a fully navigable route that is also highly tourism-friendly, boosting local economic development.
