World’s leading port terminal operator DP World’s interest in partnering with Kerala for the development of the inland waterways will help expedite the ambitious project to make the 633 km West Coast Canal (WCC) from Kovalam to Kasaragod navigable by May 2020 with National Waterways specifications.
The keenness for partnership was communicated to visiting Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Dubai by DP World chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem and vice president Omar al Muhairy on Sunday. The Dubai-based company’s move to support the ₹2,300 crore government initiative to develop the waterway will come in handy for the cash-strapped State.
The DP World has been operating International Container Transshipment Terminal at Vallarpadam and this is cited as the main reason for the interest shown in extending support for development of waterways.
To make the WCC from Kovalam to Kasaragod navigable by May 2020 with NW specifications and width of 40 m, a Special Purpose Vehicle Kerala Waterways and Infrastructure Development Ltd (KWIL) has been set up and work has commenced.
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