Mayor contests Behra’s claim on launching boat services through rejuvenated canals in Kochi

Thu May 15 15:18:30 UTC 2025: ## Kochi Canal Rejuvenation Project Faces Dispute Over Boat Service Plans

**KOCHI, INDIA – May 15, 2025** – A disagreement has emerged between Kochi’s Mayor, M. Anilkumar, and Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) Managing Director, Lokanath Behera, regarding the feasibility and planning of boat services along the city’s canals, currently undergoing rejuvenation under the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB)-funded Integrated Urban Regeneration and Water Transport System (IURWTS) project.

The IURWTS project aims to revitalize six canals: Edappally Canal, Perandoor Canal, Chilavannoor Canal, Thevara Canal, Market Canal, and Konthuruthy Canal.

Mayor Anilkumar criticized Mr. Behera’s claim of launching boat services as a “unilateral” statement made without proper consultation with stakeholders. He suggested that while boat services might be possible in the wider Edappally and Chilavannoor Canals, they are unlikely for the others. He emphasized that boat services were not part of the original discussions for the canal rejuvenation project.

Mr. Behera clarified that his comments regarding boat service specifically referred to Edappally Canal, acknowledging that railway overbridges hinder such services in the remaining canals. He stated that KMRL’s current priorities include completing a bridge along Bund Road and obtaining approval for the rejuvenation of the Market Canal. Dredging of Edappally Canal is also planned, subject to KIIFB sanction.

Both parties emphasized the importance of completing the canal rejuvenation project, which aims to provide walkways with seating arrangements, sewage lines, and dedicated sewage treatment plants alongside the waterways. The Mayor also called for faster decision-making to avoid further cost escalations, already rising from ₹2,000 crore to over ₹3,000 crore. He expressed confidence that the project will launch this year and be completed within the next two to three years, transforming the canals in a manner similar to the city’s solid waste management efforts.

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