According to an official announcement on Monday (February 23), this will be the first show of its kind in the country to feature projections within a tunnel, utilizing advanced video mapping technology.
The inauguration of the renovated Chilakoor Tunnel will be performed by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as part of the initial phase of the Akkulam-Chettuva Waterway project.
Spanning 280 kilometers, the Akkulam-Chettuva Waterway is integral to the larger 616-km Kovalam-Bekal waterway project, marking a significant advancement in the development of Kerala’s inland waterways. This initiative enhances the state’s profile as a multi-modal logistics hub and elevates its water-based tourism potential, the statement noted.
The renovation of the tunnel has been executed by Kerala Waterways Infrastructure Limited (KWIL), a collaboration between the state government and Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL).
CIAL will also introduce an electric boat equipped with a light and sound system to allow tourists to fully enjoy the visual experience within the tunnel, it mentioned.
This show, utilizing mapping technology across the tunnel’s surface, is designed and implemented for ₹4.5 crore.
The presentation will project a 3D video that will immerse viewers in Kerala’s stunning landscapes, highlight significant literary milestones and figures, showcase tourism hotspots, and celebrate the state’s cultural diversity.
A key feature of the display will be a six-minute visual narrative about the life and teachings of Sree Narayana Guru, a key figure in Kerala’s social reform movement, as stated by S Suhas, Director of KWIL.
The illustrated frames depicting Guru’s life have been created by students and faculty from RLV College of Music and Fine Arts in Thripunithura, Kochi, and animated using state-of-the-art technology.
The combination of the boat ride and the light-and-sound show is poised to transform Chilakoor Beach into an exciting tourist destination, significantly enhancing water-based tourism in Kerala, Suhas remarked.
The electric boat, specially crafted to accommodate 20 passengers, is developed by the Kochi-based startup NavAlt Green Mobility.
This vessel comes equipped with four high-intensity laser projectors, sophisticated onboard audio systems, and is powered by batteries, guaranteeing a synchronized and eco-friendly visual experience.
KWIL is also working on establishing a beach park and boat jetty at the canal, while the Kerala Hydel Tourism Centre will set up a ticket counter for guests.
Chilakoor Tunnel, measuring 350 meters in length, stands as an engineering marvel aimed at facilitating seamless inland navigation throughout the historic princely state of Travancore.
The canal has been restored for navigation as part of the state government’s ongoing Inland Waterways development initiative, the statement concluded.
