business100news.com; MP Kodikunnil Suresh meet Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal in New Delhi and submitted a memorandum seeking the inclusion of the Alappuzha–Changanassery stretch of National Waterway-8 (NW-8) in the inland water transport development project announced in the Union Budget 2026–27.
The MP highlighted that the budget proposes to operationalise 20 new national waterways over the next five years and to increase the share of inland water transport and coastal shipping from 6 per cent to 12 per cent by 2047, as part of promoting environment-friendly cargo transport. He stressed that including the Alappuzha–Changanassery stretch is essential to achieve these objectives.
Kodikunnil Suresh said the waterway passes through some of Kerala’s most productive regions and that its development would benefit agriculture, small-scale industries and trade. He added that it would help reduce road congestion and pollution while improving cargo connectivity with ports and industrial centres.
The MP also noted that inland water transport development would create local employment and skill development opportunities and strengthen Kerala’s traditional inland water transport network, contributing to sustainable economic growth.
The Union Minister assured that the demand would be considered sympathetically.
