ABOUT THE WING

                                       INLAND NAVIGATION

The state of Kerala is blessed with numerous rivers and backwaters. These waterways can be successfully used for commercial inland water transport. Inland water transport is a fuel efficient and environmental friendly mode of transportation. Basic infrastructure requirement for inland water transport comprises efficient navigation route with navigation aids, terminals and jetties with adequate facilities to handle cargo, passengers and vessels suitable for various needs. The main arterial waterway in the state of Kerala is the West Coast Canal. The West Coast Canal connects Kovalam in south to the Bekal in north and its total length is 616km.The proposal for the development of West Coast canal and the proposed new canal formation are envisaged in 3 stages.

1^st phase of development

The proposed works envisaged in the 1^st stage are to clean the canals and make the same fit for water traffic maintaining the present width. The cleaning of the canal with existing width and making navigable is nearing its completion stage.

2^nd phase of development

In the second phase, it is envisaged to increase the width of the canals and to evict the encroachments through rehabilitation process. The Land Acquisition and other related formalities are attaining its targets is yet to be completed.

3^rd phase of development

In order to improve the basic amenities and to improve the Standards of the State Waterways commensurate the Standards of National Waterways and to improve the Cargo movement facilitating to a capacity of 500 tonnes, is the aim envisaged in this phase. 

                                                                     KUTTANAD PACKAGE

Kuttanad is one of the few places in the world where farming is carried out below the sea level and the region is often termed as the 'Rice bowl of the State. It is a region spread across the Alappuzha, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts of kerala. It is known for its waterbodies, agriculture, fisheries and biodiversity. The geography of this area is marked by the deltaic formation that arise out of the confluence of five major rivers - Achankovil, Manimala, Pamba, Meenachil and Muvattupuzha. Every year, this area is subjected to heavy floods causing heavy damage and loss to crops and property. Kuttanad area is highly vulnerable to bund breaching during floods and cause misery to the people by way of loss of life, houses and financial instability due to loss of livelihoods. Through Government funds,  the impact of these  loss is minimized by arranging protection works through Kuttanad Package.

The agriculture of Kuttanad wetlands is unique because large areas of rice cultivation are being done in wetland located up to 2.5m below Mean Sea Level.  Geo physical area of Kuttanad comes to 1100km2 and population comes about 15 lakh.  Main livelihood is agriculture and fisheries.  The polders formed by bunds are called padasekharams and its area comes to 550 km2 (55000 ha).  During the past 3 decades, many houses were constructed on these bunds and all are susceptible for flood.

KUTTANAD PACKAGE (1^st PHASE)

To mitigate the agrarian distress in Alappuzha and Kuttanad Wetland Ecosystem the Union Government entrusted Dr. M.S. Swaminathan Foundation Chennai to conduct a scientific study of the region and the MSSR foundation recommended 15 Tasks with a total cost of 1840Crs, out of which, works having an amount of 1517Crs has been taken up by the Irrigation Department under Kuttanad Package. After extensive study and surveys the DPR’s for 7 schemes were prepared and submitted to the Central Government under FMP. Out of which 4 Schemes were sanctioned by the Government of India.

Kuttanad Package – (2^nd phase)

        During the flood of 2018 which was a one in hundred year phenomenon, Kuttanad area was acutely affected.  The flood has submerged the entire region and forced a large number of families to leave their homes.  The flood water breached bunds across the region and flooded houses and destroyed paddy cultivation.  Due to heavy rainfall and breaching of bunds, more than 50,000 houses in Kuttanad were inundated or partly inundated.  Paddy crop cultivated in about 15000Ha was destroyed.  Almost the entire paddy area sown was lost due to the floods.  Kuttanad area was acutely affected during the flood of 2019 also.

        Consequent to torrential floods, a decision was taken by the Hon’ble Chief Minister for the implementation of 2nd phase of Kuttanad Package. The projects under Kuttanad Package are carrying out using the funds allotted in state budget from 2019 onwards.