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Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 21 (IANS) Kerala’s water-based tourism is set to receive a significant boost with the renovation of the historic Chilakoor Tunnel in Varkala, which forms part of the Akkulam–Chettuva Waterway project aimed at reviving inland navigation and promoting tourism.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate Phase I of the waterway project at Chilakoor Beach Park on Thursday, marking a key milestone in the state’s inland waterways development efforts.

The 350-metre-long Chilakoor Tunnel, built during the erstwhile Travancore era, had once served as an important inland navigation route facilitating passenger and cargo movement across parts of south Kerala.

The tunnel has now been restored to navigable condition under the state’s inland waterways development initiative and is expected to serve both as a functional waterway and a tourism attraction.

The renovation work was undertaken by Kerala Waterways Infrastructure Limited, a joint venture between the Kerala government and Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL).

Officials said the restoration was carried out with care to preserve the tunnel’s historical character, ensuring that its original structural features were maintained.

To mark the inauguration, Cochin International Airport Limited will introduce electric boat rides through the tunnel along with a light-and-sound show aimed at enhancing the tourism experience.

The light-and-sound installation, developed at an estimated cost of Rs 4.5 crore, will present visual narratives related to the life and teachings of social reformer Sree Narayana Guru and his association with Varkala.

Officials said the visual experience uses advanced projection and mapping technology within the tunnel, offering an immersive experience for visitors.

Tourists will travel through the tunnel on a specially designed 20-seater electric boat developed by a Kochi-based startup.

The vessel is equipped with onboard audio-visual systems and operates on battery power, supporting eco-friendly and sustainable tourism.

Supporting infrastructure, including a boat jetty and improvements to the beach park area, has also been developed as part of the project.

The 280-km Akkulam–Chettuva Waterway, extending along Kerala’s coastal region, is a major component of the West Coast Canal renovation initiative.

Apart from tourism, the project is also expected to enhance inland transport and logistics while supporting environmentally sustainable mobility solutions in the state.

–IANS

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Jaipur, June 13 (IANS) Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday expressed deep condolences over the tragic death of ex-Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani in a plane crash in Ahmedabad.

Calling Rupani a leader of humble nature, Gehlot recalled his association with him during his tenure as the Gujarat Congress in-charge.

Gehlot said, “The untimely demise of former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani in the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad is extremely saddening. He was a person of humble nature. I had the opportunity to work during his tenure while serving as the Congress in-charge for Gujarat.”

“I pray to God to grant peace to his soul and strength to his family members to bear this irreparable loss,” he added.

Gehlot also mourned the death of 12 people from Rajasthan in the same incident, stating that the tragedy has left everyone shocked and heartbroken.

“So far, 12 residents of Rajasthan have been reported dead in this tragic accident. This unexpected incident has deeply shaken all of us. I once again pray to God to give peace to the departed souls and the strength to their grieving families to endure this immense loss,” Gehlot said.

Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani died on Thursday after an Air India aircraft carrying him and 241 others crashed near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad in the afternoon.

Rupani served as the chief minister of Gujarat from 2016 till 2021, after winning the Legislative Assembly elections from the Rajkot seat.

The London-bound flight AI 171, which Rupani took on Thursday, was carrying 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian national, apart from two pilots and 10 cabin crew members. Operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the flight took off around 1.47 p.m., slightly delayed from its scheduled time, and went down in the next few minutes after being given clearance for takeoff.

–IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 11 (IANS) A fresh controversy has erupted in Kerala after documents surfaced confirming that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had summoned Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s son, Vivek Kiran, in connection with the Life Mission money-laundering case.

The revelation coincides with Chief Minister Vijayan’s meeting in Delhi with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, adding a sharp political edge to the development.

According to a report published by a leading vernacular daily on Saturday, the ED had issued summons No. KCCEDO/2023/769 to “Vivek Kiran, son of Pinarayi Vijayan, Cliff House, Thiruvananthapuram,” under Sections 50(2) and 50(3) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The notice, signed by then ED Assistant Director P.K. Anand, directed him to appear before the agency’s Kochi office at 10:30 a.m. on February 14, 2023, and produce documents including Aadhaar, PAN, bank statements, and details of assets held by him and his family.

However, Vivek did not appear before the central agency, and no follow-up action was taken.

The document remains listed as “active” on the ED’s official “Verify Your Summons” portal, confirming its authenticity.

The summons was issued as part of the investigation into the Wadakkanchery Life Mission housing project, which the agency alleged involved kickbacks amounting to Rs 4.4 crore.

The project, funded by the UAE Red Crescent through the UAE Consulate for 2018 flood victims, was implemented by Unitac Builders.

The ED found that Unitac Managing Partner Santosh Eapen had allegedly paid the bribe to Consulate officials and M. Sivasankar, then Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, who was later arrested after a three-day interrogation in Kochi.

The ED had also questioned Swapna Suresh and Sarith, both accused in the gold smuggling case, as part of the same probe.

The agency had even sought details about Vivek’s employment in Abu Dhabi from UAE authorities, though the outcome is not known.

At the time, the Congress had stated that the BJP and CPI(M) were “colluding” to shield the Chief Minister’s family, citing the ED’s failure to pursue the summons further.

The emergence of the document now revives questions over the agency’s silence and the political implications of an investigation that briefly reached the Chief Minister’s doorstep.

Meanwhile, while the ED officials are tightlipped on the summons to Vivek, they say the case has not been closed.

–IANS

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