KOZHIKODE: The 168-year-old Canolly Canal can regain its glorious past if the Rs 1,100 crore project submitted by the district administration to the state government gets approval. Commissioned by the then Malabar Collector H. V. Canolly in 1848 it was one of the busy waterways in Kerala stretching 11.20 km. The project has the potential for the socio-economic development of the entire north Malabar region and can change the face of Kozhikode city. The state government has also assured to give priority to the project connecting the whole district.
The project prepared by the irrigation department envisages rivers and backwaters interlinked developing digging up canals to the stipulated standards and redesigning backwaters along the route. It can also connect Beypore Port to the city and use for cargo transportation to northern Kerala when Vallarpadam container terminal becomes fully functional. “The project possesses a three-dimensional benefit to the city. It can improve the environmental conservation by eco-friendly transport, ease the urban transport system and boost its tourism potential,” regional town planner K.V. Abdul Malik said.
“This would be a big boost. In fact, I thought of submitting the project and request to the Prime Minister during his visit to Kozhikode, but the project was not ready at that time,” added mayor Thottathil Raveendran. They are awaiting allocations in both the Union and state budgets early next year. At present, the canal is in a pathetic condition with stinking water and waste accumulation. Its retaining walls have also collapsed in many places. “The project can change the physical character of the city and take it to an international level,” said collector N. Prasanth.
A 168-year-old wonder
Canolly Canal was constructed, in order to connect the rivers in Malabar to form a water transport network, by the then Malabar Collector Henry Valentine Canolly. The land acquisition was easy as the then Zamorin of Calicut and other land lords gave land free. In 1845, the detailed project report was submitted to the Madras government and received administrative sanction in 1846. In 1848, the Canal was commissioned. Though the extension work of Canal was stopped after the murder of Mr Canolly in 1855, his successor Robinson took a strong stand for the completion of the project. In 1924, Canolly Canal had over 772 country boats and 2541 rafts servicing. After the road transport system strengthened, the canal's glory diminished.
(Info courtesy: T.B Seluraj)
