->JJMC89 bot III m 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= | {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2025}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date= | {{Use Indian English|date=October 2025}} | ||
{{short description|Water | {{short description|Water tunnel system in Trivandrum, India}} | ||
{{Infobox tunnel | {{Infobox tunnel | ||
| name = Varkala Tunnel Trivandrum | | name = Varkala Tunnel, Trivandrum | ||
| image = Varkala Tunnel.jpg | | image = Varkala Tunnel.jpg | ||
| caption = Former Chief minister VS Achudhananthan visiting Varkala Tunnel in 2006 | | caption = Former Chief minister VS Achudhananthan visiting Varkala Tunnel in 2006 | ||
| Line 9: | Line 10: | ||
| map = | | map = | ||
| coordinates = {{coord|8.7365|76.730|type:landmark|display=title}} | | coordinates = {{coord|8.7365|76.730|type:landmark|display=title}} | ||
| route = [[Trivandrum]] | | route = [[Trivandrum]]–[[Kollam]] | ||
| status = Closed {{start date and age|2007}} | | status = Closed {{start date and age|2007}} | ||
| start ={{coord|8.7365|76.730|type:landmark|display=inline}} | | start = {{coord|8.7365|76.730|type:landmark|display=inline}} | ||
| end = {{coord|8.7167|76.721|type:landmark|display=inline}} | | end = {{coord|8.7167|76.721|type:landmark|display=inline}} | ||
| startwork = {{start date and age|1867}} | | startwork = {{start date and age|1867}} | ||
| opened = {{start date and age|1877}} | | opened = {{start date and age|1877}} | ||
| owner = [[Government of Kerala]] | | owner = [[Government of Kerala]] | ||
| operator = Kerala Inland Waterways and Infrastructure | | operator = Kerala Inland Waterways and Infrastructure Limited | ||
| traffic = [[National Waterway 3]] | | traffic = [[National Waterway 3]] | ||
| toll = No | | toll = No | ||
| construction = [[Kingdom of Travancore]] | | construction = [[Kingdom of Travancore]] | ||
| length = {{convert|1069.848|m| | | length = {{convert|1069.848|m|mi|abbr=on}} | ||
| lanes = 2 | | lanes = 2 | ||
| speed = {{convert|25|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} | | speed = {{convert|25|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} | ||
| height = {{convert|10|m|ft|0}} | | height = {{convert|10|m|ft|0}} | ||
| width = 10 | | width = 10 | ||
}} | }} | ||
==History== | |||
The Varkala Tunnel is a 19th-century canal tunnel system in Varkala, Trivandrum, Kerala, India. Constructed between 1867 and 1877 under the Kingdom of Travancore, it connected southern and northern waterways and supported inland trade. The tunnel was built under Dewan Sir T. Madhava Rao, with Chief Engineer Walthew Clarence Barton overseeing construction. | |||
The twin tunnels, at Sivagiri (722 m) and Chilakkoor (350 m), enabled the transport of goods such as coir, rice, and cashew for nearly a century. By the mid-20th century, the rise of roads and railways led to disuse, and the tunnel was officially closed in 2007 due to siltation and encroachments. | |||
== | ==Technical specifications== | ||
* Length: 1,069.848 metres (0.664 mi) | |||
* Width: 10 metres (33 ft) | |||
* Height/Clearance: 10 metres (33 ft) | |||
* Number of lanes: 2 | |||
* Operating speed: 25 km/h (16 mph) | |||
* Traffic: Part of National Waterway 3 | |||
==Modern revival== | |||
The tunnel is part of the West Coast Canal (WCC) Project, managed by Kerala Waterways and Infrastructure Limited (KWIL). Restoration work includes dredging, structural reinforcement, and preparation for safe navigation. The project aims to integrate the tunnel into heritage tourism and eco-friendly inland waterway transport. | |||
* | ===Key milestones=== | ||
* | * 2017 – KWIL incorporated for WCC project | ||
* 2020 – Initial dredging and de-silting at Varkala | |||
* 2023 – Structural certification of the tunnels by Konkan Railway Corporation | |||
* 2025 – Scheduled commissioning of Akkulam–Chettuva stretch, including Varkala Tunnel | |||
Social rehabilitation under the Punargeham scheme has relocated over 400 families with financial packages exceeding ₹240 crore. | |||
== | ==Tourism and cultural significance== | ||
The tunnel’s reopening will feature electric vessels offering zero-emission rides and light-and-sound shows narrating local history and heritage. The project is part of the Varkala Destination Development Master Plan, which aims to diversify tourism in the region beyond beaches, including canal cruises, walkways, and hospitality investments. | |||
==Gallery== | |||
<!-- Keep existing images as they are, no changes here --> | |||
==See also== | |||
* [[Waterways transport in Kerala]] | |||
* [[TS Canal]] | |||
* [[AVM Canal]] | |||
== See also == | * [[Kollam Canal]] | ||
* [[Waterways transport in Kerala]] | |||
* [[TS Canal]] | |||
* [[AVM Canal]] | |||
* [[Kollam Canal]] | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
[[Category:Tunnels completed in 1877]] | ==External links== | ||
[[Category:Tunnels in India]] | * [https://kiwil.kerala.gov.in Kerala Inland Waterways and Infrastructure Limited] | ||
[[Category:Transport in Thiruvananthapuram]] | |||
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Thiruvananthapuram]] | [[Category:Tunnels completed in 1877]] | ||
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Thiruvananthapuram]] | [[Category:Tunnels in India]] | ||
[[Category:Water tunnels in India]] | [[Category:Transport in Thiruvananthapuram]] | ||
[[Category:1877 establishments in India]] | [[Category:Tourist attractions in Thiruvananthapuram]] | ||
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Thiruvananthapuram]] | |||
[[Category:Water tunnels in India]] | |||
[[Category:1877 establishments in India]] | |||
{{asia-tunnel-stub}} | {{asia-tunnel-stub}} | ||
Latest revision as of 09:21, 25 November 2025
History[edit | edit source]
The Varkala Tunnel is a 19th-century canal tunnel system in Varkala, Trivandrum, Kerala, India. Constructed between 1867 and 1877 under the Kingdom of Travancore, it connected southern and northern waterways and supported inland trade. The tunnel was built under Dewan Sir T. Madhava Rao, with Chief Engineer Walthew Clarence Barton overseeing construction.
The twin tunnels, at Sivagiri (722 m) and Chilakkoor (350 m), enabled the transport of goods such as coir, rice, and cashew for nearly a century. By the mid-20th century, the rise of roads and railways led to disuse, and the tunnel was officially closed in 2007 due to siltation and encroachments.
Technical specifications[edit | edit source]
- Length: 1,069.848 metres (0.664 mi)
- Width: 10 metres (33 ft)
- Height/Clearance: 10 metres (33 ft)
- Number of lanes: 2
- Operating speed: 25 km/h (16 mph)
- Traffic: Part of National Waterway 3
Modern revival[edit | edit source]
The tunnel is part of the West Coast Canal (WCC) Project, managed by Kerala Waterways and Infrastructure Limited (KWIL). Restoration work includes dredging, structural reinforcement, and preparation for safe navigation. The project aims to integrate the tunnel into heritage tourism and eco-friendly inland waterway transport.
Key milestones[edit | edit source]
- 2017 – KWIL incorporated for WCC project
- 2020 – Initial dredging and de-silting at Varkala
- 2023 – Structural certification of the tunnels by Konkan Railway Corporation
- 2025 – Scheduled commissioning of Akkulam–Chettuva stretch, including Varkala Tunnel
Social rehabilitation under the Punargeham scheme has relocated over 400 families with financial packages exceeding ₹240 crore.
Tourism and cultural significance[edit | edit source]
The tunnel’s reopening will feature electric vessels offering zero-emission rides and light-and-sound shows narrating local history and heritage. The project is part of the Varkala Destination Development Master Plan, which aims to diversify tourism in the region beyond beaches, including canal cruises, walkways, and hospitality investments.