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->JJMC89 bot III: Moving :Category:Water Tunnels in India to :Category:Water tunnels in India per Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Speedy

2021-04-24T07:20:03Z

Moving Category:Water Tunnels in India to Category:Water tunnels in India per Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Speedy

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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2019}}
{{short description|Water Tunnel System in Trivandrum, India}}
{{Infobox tunnel
| name = Varkala Tunnel Trivandrum
| image = Varkala Tunnel.jpg
| caption = Former Chief minister VS Achudhananthan visiting Varkala Tunnel in 2006
| location = [[Varkala]], [[Trivandrum]], [[Kerala]]
| map =
| coordinates = {{coord|8.7365|76.730|type:landmark|display=title}}
| route = [[Trivandrum]]-[[Kollam]]
| status = Closed {{start date and age|2007}}
| start ={{coord|8.7365|76.730|type:landmark|display=inline}}
| end = {{coord|8.7167|76.721|type:landmark|display=inline}}
| startwork = {{start date and age|1867}}
| opened = {{start date and age|1877}}
| owner = [[Government of Kerala]]
| operator = Kerala Inland Waterways and Infrastructure limited
| traffic = [[National Waterway 3]]
| character =
| toll = No
| vpd =
| construction = [[Kingdom of Travancore]]
| length = {{convert|1069.848|m|km|abbr=on}}
| lanes = 2
| speed = {{convert|25|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}
| hielevation =
| lowelevation =
| height = {{convert|10|m|ft|0}}
| width = 10
| grade =

}}{{OSM Location map
|lat = 8.736
|lon = 76.730
|zoom = 12
|width = 305
|height = 400

|minimap =
|mini-width=
|mini-height=
|minipog-x=
|minipog-y=
|scalemark =180

|mark-lat = 8.736
|mark-lon = 76.731
|mark-title = Varkala Tunnel east entrance
|label = East entrance
|label-pos = right

|mark-lat1 = 8.731
|mark-lon1 = 76.726
|mark-title1 = Varkala Tunnel west entrance
|label1 = West entrance
|label-pos1 = right

|mark-lat2 = 8.717
|mark-lon2 = 76.719
|mark-title2 = Varkala Tunnel
|label2 = East Entrance 2
|label-post2 = right

|mark-lat3 = 8.716
|mark-lon3 = 76.722
|mark-title3 = Varkala Tunnel
|label3 = West Entrance 2
|label-post3 = left

}}

'''Varkala Tunnel''' System, situated in municipality of [[Varkala]] of [[Trivandrum]], [[Kerala]], [[India]], also known as the Varkala Canal or ''Varkala Thurapp'' in local dialect. It is one of the historic sites and architectural marvel of the region. This site was constructed by the [[Travancore]] Kingdom to establish a continuous inland waterway across [[Thiruvithamkoor]] as [[TS Canal]], which was meant to serve as a trade route. The construction of the two long tunnels was started in 1867 and the first was completed in 1877 while the second was completed in 1880.<ref name=":0" />
[[File:Varkala Tunnel D'Cruz, Zachariah 1900..jpg|thumb|Varkala Tunnel during 1900]]

With a length of {{Convert|1069.848|m|km|lk=on}}, the two tunnel played a vital role in transferring ferry goods and people from capital city [[Trivandrum]] to [[Kollam]] during the pre-independence era. The tunnel is located under the main cliff of the region and represents the architectural excellence of the workers and engineers of that era.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/apac/photocoll/v/019pho000430s45u00031000.html|title=Varkala Tunnel.|first=Colin|last=Wright|website=www.bl.uk|accessdate=24 October 2018}}</ref>

[[File:വർക്കല ടണൽ (1900 നും 1920നുമിടയിൽ).jpg|thumb|Varkala Tunnel in 1920]]

Built under the supervision of T. Madhava Rao, the [[Dewan]] of [[Travancore]] Kingdom, the tunnel also make up for the Varkala reach of [[Thiruvananthapuram–Shoranur canal]], which passes through this delicate structure.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.keralatourism.org/varkala/varkala-tunnel.php|title=Varkala Tunnel, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India – Kerala Tourism|website=www.keralatourism.org|accessdate=24 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/150619/nation-current-affairs/article/light-end-varkala-tunnel# |title=Archived copy |access-date=2018-09-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914171117/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/150619/nation-current-affairs/article/light-end-varkala-tunnel# |archive-date=2018-09-14 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Features ==
The tunnel is built in an area that is famous for [[Cenozoic]] sedimentary formation cliffs are a unique geological feature on the otherwise flat Kerala coast, and are known among geologists as ''Varkala Formation''. The tunnels are carved through [[Laterite rocks]].

There are two tunnels in the system namely,

* Sivagiri Passage 722 m long and,
* Chilakkoor Passage 350 m long.

The tunnel system connects the [[Anchuthengu]] Kayal with [[Edava]]- Nadayara Kayal.

== Present Status ==
Despite of immense tourism potential the passages are remaining as unused. It is silted and maintenance works are all in limbo. In 2006 period there was a renewed interest to revive the tunnels by then [[Chief minister of Kerala]], Shri. [[V. S. Achuthanandan]] he had even undertaken a boat ride in the canal to make a first-hand assessment.
There after it was in limbo until 2014 -16 period, when few discussions started again and died down as usual. In 2016, the state government had sought the help of Metroman [[E. Sreedharan]] to revive the tunnel.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Radhakrishnan|first=S. Anil|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/Sreedharan%E2%80%99s-help-sought-to-revive-tunnels/article16072705.ece|title=Sreedharan's help sought to revive tunnels|date=2016-10-16|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-04-15|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

In 2017 there were discussions to construct new waterway bypass skipping existing tunnels due to lack of width and draft as per [[National Waterways in India|National Waterways]] standards.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2017/aug/23/kerala-government-to-extend-west-coast-canal-to-kovalam-varkala-tunnels-may-lost-its-glory-1646940.html|title=Kerala government to extend West Coast Canal to Kovalam, Varkala tunnels may lose its glory|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=2020-04-15}}</ref>

As of 2020, in Chilakkoor passage, dredging work and sledge removal are progressing. Works on Sivagiri passage is also expected to start soon. The passages are planned to be used for tourist activities.

Also [[Government of India]] has turned down [[Kerala]]'s demand to extend the existing [[National Waterway 3]] route to [[Kovalam]] from [[Kollam]] through [[Varkala]].

== See also ==

* [[Waterways transport in Kerala]]
* [[TS Canal]]
* [[AVM Canal]]
* [[Kollam Canal]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Tunnels completed in 1877]]
[[Category:Tunnels in India]]
[[Category:Transport in Thiruvananthapuram]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Thiruvananthapuram]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Thiruvananthapuram]]
[[Category:Water tunnels in India]]
[[Category:1877 establishments in India]]

{{asia-tunnel-stub}}

Varkala Tunnel - Revision history

Admin: small changes

->JJMC89 bot III: Moving :Category:Water Tunnels in India to :Category:Water tunnels in India per Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Speedy