Water transport in Kollam
Water transport in Kollam includes ferry services for commuters and tourists, extensive backwater canals, and a major port. The Kerala State Water Transport Department (KSWTD) is the primary operator of these services. The Kollam Canal (also known as the Quilon Canal or Kollam Thodu), a key part of the larger West Coast Canal system, was constructed in 1880. It became the primary trade channel for the former princely state of Travancore, with cargo vessels ferrying goods through the city.[1]
The Ashtamudi Lake, the second-largest wetland ecosystem in Kerala, is a central hub for water transport in Kollam. Its waters connect the city with a number of local communities and form part of National Waterway 3. Kollam Thodu is a 7.7-kilometer canal runs through the city and serves as a vital artery of the water transport network. It connects Ashtamudi Lake with other water bodies and links the main Kollam Port to the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) inland terminal. Following renovation efforts, the canal is intended for both passenger and cargo transport, as well as tourism.
Services and Routes
The services from Kollam are broadly categorized into long-distance ferry services, short-distance commuter ferries, and special tourist cruises.
- Kollam-Alappuzha (Alleppey) Cruise: This is a flagship service, an 8-hour scenic cruise covering approximately 55 kilometers through Ashtamudi Lake and the interconnected backwater canals. It serves both as a direct transport link between the two districts and as a major tourist product.[2]
- Commuter and Short-Route Services: Regular, low-fare ferry services connect Kollam to various points within the district, including routes to Alumkadavu, Guhanandapuram, and Kannanalloor. These function as essential public transport for local residents.[3]
- Tourist and Special Services: "See Ashtamudi" tourist service: A 5-hour pleasure trip on Ashtamudi Lake, with a stop at Sambranikkodi Island. It departs daily at 11:30 a.m. and costs ₹400 for the lower deck and ₹500 for the upper deck.[4][5][6]
Houseboats and private cruises
Many private tour operators and resorts offer day cruises on the Ashtamudi Lake for tourists, allowing for exploration of the area in houseboats, motorboats, and canoes.[7]
Future projects
To further leverage its water transport infrastructure, Kollam has several ongoing and proposed projects:
- Kollam Water Metro
- There are plans to introduce a Water Metro system in Kollam, which would provide an intra-city water transport network similar to the one in Kochi.[8][9]
- Waterway development
- Projects are underway to develop and maintain National Waterway 3 to support 24-hour navigation, including deepening channels and improving terminals.
References
- ^ "Renovated Kollam canal now a cesspool". The Hindu. 19 March 2015.
- ^ E, Krishna Kumar K. (14 July 2025). "SWTD unable to resume long-haul boat service on Alappuzha-Kollam waterway". The New Indian Express.
- ^ https://swtd.kerala.gov.in/pages-en-IN/placesenroute.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ https://swtd.kerala.gov.in/pages-en-IN/seeashtamudi.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "'See Ashtamudi' boat service set to complete 2 years; New Solar Boat to join fleet". @mathrubhumi. 8 March 2025.
- ^ Bureau, The Hindu (9 March 2023). "'See Ashtamudi' tourist boat service in Kollam to be launched on Friday". The Hindu.
{{cite web}}:|last1=has generic name (help) - ^ Balan, Saritha S. (11 November 2020). "Deserted homestays, jobless boatmen: Tourism in Kerala's Munroe Island hit hard". The News Minute.
- ^ Bureau, The Hindu (20 April 2025). "Traffic study on anvil to assess feasibility of launching Water Metro in Kollam and 17 other cities". The Hindu.
{{cite web}}:|last1=has generic name (help) - ^ https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2105345.
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