After decades desilting of AVM Canal commences
The desilting of the historic AVM Canal has commenced after decades of neglect, with the goal of improving inland water transport and coastal tourism. The project is being executed in phases, with hopes for further central funding as it is designated a National Waterway.
Why it matters
Reviving the canal could provide a significant boost to the local tourism economy and offer an alternative transport route in the Kanniyakumari district.
The long-pending demand of desilting of Anantha Victoria Marthandam Canal, popularly known as AVM Canal, by the farmers and the fishermen was realised on Saturday as Minister for Tourism S. Rajesh Kumar inaugurated the exercise in the presence of District Collector M. Prathap.
The canal of 1860 was envisioned as a waterway to connect Thiruvananthapuram and Kanniyakumari via more than 20 west coast villages including Neerodi, Vallavilai, Thoothoor, Poothurai, Erayumanthurai, Thaengaaipattinam, Colachel, Mandaikaadu etc. After a portion of this ambitious project was completed, the major portion got abandoned with the road transport growing. If this project is completed, the AVM Canal can serve as an effective tool for inland water transport between Kanniyakumari district and even up to Kasargod, the public say.
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