KOLLAM: The iconic ‘kallupalam’ (stone bridge) across TS Canal here would be rebuilt to meet the requirements of the National Waterway. According to Kollam MLA P K Gurudasan, administrative sanction for the reconstruction has been approved by the departmental working group and an amount of Rs 5 crore has been sanctioned for the purpose. The construction has to be in step with the guidelines of Inland Waterways Authority of India. Inland Navigation Department would be responsible for the construction. “By reconstructing the bridges across the Kollam canal, inland navigation can be reinstated,” said Gurdasan.
A new bridge adjacent to Iron bridge was recently thrown open for public and the government has expressed its intent to rebuilt the old iron bridge. The 7.7-km-long Kollam canal, connecting Paravur lake with Ashtamudi lake, was once a major travel and freight corridor. It is part of the 78-km Kovalam-Kollam State Waterway and efforts are being taken to include it in the Kollam-Kottapuram National Waterway-3.