India's Inland Waterways
Kerala's Backwaters
How Kerala's backwaters form National Waterway 3, used for tourism, ferries and some cargo, and the Kochi Water Metro launched in 2023.
Kerala’s backwaters form a waterway network.
NW-3
National Waterway 3 runs from Kollam to Kottapuram through the backwaters.
Houseboats
Kettuvallams (houseboats) are a big tourism business in Alappuzha.
Ferries
State ferries carry commuters between islands and towns.
Kochi Water Metro
Launched in April 2023, the Kochi Water Metro uses electric-hybrid boats connecting islands.
Cargo
Some cargo moves, but tourism dominates.
Pollution
Houseboats and waste threaten water quality.
An island resident takes the Kochi Water Metro to work instead of a long road trip.
Kerala's are for tourism and commuting too.
- Kerala's backwaters form NW-3.
- Houseboats drive tourism.
- The Kochi Water Metro launched in 2023.
- Pollution is a concern.
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