National Waterways 3

National Waterway–3 (NW-3), located in the State of Kerala, forms a critical component of the country’s inland water transport network along the West Coast Canal system, connecting Kottapuram to Kollam and extending through the Champakkara and Udyogamandal Canals. The waterway supports the movement of cargo, passengers, and Ro-Ro traffic and serves as an environmentally sustainable transport corridor for the industrial and urban regions of Kerala.

For effective navigation, IWAI has focused on the development of three key infrastructure components on NW-3, namely navigable fairway for movement of inland vessels, aids to navigation for safe navigation, and terminals for loading/ unloading of cargo at various locations along the waterway. A navigation channel of 38 m width in wider reaches and 32 m in narrow reaches, with a targeted depth of 2.0–2.2 metres, has been largely achieved through capital and maintenance dredging across most stretches. The entire length of NW-3 is equipped with aids to navigation, including solar-powered buoys and beacon lamp posts, enabling round-the-clock safe navigation.

IWAI has developed a network of cargo and passenger terminals at strategic locations along NW-3, including Kottapuram, Aluva, Maradu, Vaikkom, Thanneermukkom, Alappuzha, Thrikkunnappuzha, Kayamkulam, and Kollam. To enhance operational efficiency and private participation, selected terminals have been leased to the Kerala State Warehousing Corporation (KSWC). In addition, Ro-Ro terminals at Willingdon Island and Bolgatty, developed in collaboration with Cochin Port Trust, provide an alternate transport route for container movement to decongest Kochi city. During FY 2023–24, NW-3 handled approximately 32.90 lakh tonnes of cargo (The total cargo moved on NW-3 by barges, which mainly consists of sulphur, phosphoric acid, liquefied ammonia gas, rock phosphate, containers, vehicles, passengers etc.), underscoring its importance as a key inland waterway for Kerala.