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Hello friends,
Let's start this topic by asking you some questions --> In How many ways can you go from Kakinada to Chennai? -->Do you know that there is a man-made canal in India which is built longer and earlier than Suez canal. -->Do you know that Kakinada was the Gateway of South India?
Ok, I understood you'll close the tab if I still stretch it. Yes, the Answer to the first question is Obviously Circar(express train from Kakinada-Chennai Egmore). Then they are some alternatives such as Airways(Rajahmundry), and Roadways(NH16). And some Nerds may think Out-of-box and started thinking about Waterways. There are some people who got answer up to some extent. Yes, But not by the Bay of Bengal. But through the land by a canal, Named Buckingham canal. Here are some Facts about its stretch.
VIJAYAWADA-CHENNAI LINK Secondly, it was called as Lord Civils canal, in 1837 this canal was undertaken by the Government of Madras presidency and furthermore extended, finally, it reaches 315km north of Chennai to Vijayawada on the banks of Krishna river in Andhra Pradesh and 103km south of Chennai to Marakkanam in Tamil Nadu.
VIJAYAWADA-RAJAMUNDRY LINK (Eluru canal) In 1852 the sir Arthur cotton Barriage was constructed Across Godavari at Dowleswaram. This 139 km stretch of a canal linking the Krishna and Godavari which is named as Eluru canal which links the Prakasam barrage and Dowleswaram barrage. The Tammileru lock which divides Eluru Canal as two Canals namely the Krishna Eluru Canal of Eastern Krishna delta and the Godavari Eluru canal of Western Godavari delta. The Krishna Eluru canal takes off from the Krishna river section through head sluice at Vijayawada and meets Godavari Eluru canal at East Tammileru lock at Eluru. The Godavari Eluru canal takes off from the river section of river Godavari at Vijjeswaram in Rajahmundry through a head sluice and joins Krishna Eluru canal at East Tammileru lock.
VIJAYAWADA-ONGOLE LINK From west part of the of the Prakasam barrage, Commamur canal flow between Seethanagaram lock to Peddaganjam lock through Vijayawada for a stretch of 113km. it takes river Krishna through the head sluice and joins the Buckingham canal at Peddaganjam lock near Ongole.
KAKINADA-RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM LINK Kakinada canal runs between Kakinada to Rajamahendravaram for a length of 50 km. Which touches Samalkot, Anaparthi, Dwarapudi. The canal gets the water from Godavari river through the Dowleswaram barrage. Which cross the Jaganadhapuram (Kakinada) and meets the sea in Kakinada.
THE COMPLETE STRETCH OF KAKINADA TO MARAKKANAM (PONDICHERRY) Finally, the Buckingham canal reaches the length of 796 km, running parallel to the Coromandel coast from Kakinada in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh to marakkanam at Pondicherry through Chennai of Tamil Nadu.
THE REASON (GOD DECIDED) FOR THE BIRTH OF THE CANAL
In 1876 to 1878 South India was affected by the great famine and suffered by the millions of peoples. In 1877 to 1878 as part of famine relief works Governor of Madras (Duke of Buckingham and Chandos) orders to build the eight-kilometer stretch linking the Adyar and Cooum rivers(worth Rs.30 lakhs). Finally, it was named as Buckingham canal in 1878, because the linking of two rivers was built under the orders of the governor, the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos. This is helpful to connect the Southern part of Tamil Nadu to Kakinada. The Rice was transported from Orissa to Kakinada by sea and then it enters into Buckingham canal where the canal meets the Bay of Bengal from then it was transported to Chennai by this canal.
This canal was widely used from 1880 to 1940 and this is only cheapest transportation system at that period. Because of the considerable traffic on it, cargo like rice, coal, firewood, salt etc., are transported by this canal. About 1200 boats are plying on this canal and around 19,000 passenger and 190,000 tonnes of goods where transported per year.
THE GUARD AGAINST THE MIGHTY TSUNAMI The Buckingham canal saves the many lives in 2004 tsunami on Coromandel coast.
Dr. B. Ramalingeswara Rao said that the Buckingham canal acted as buffering zone and regulated the tsunami waves on the coastal region over nearly 310 km from Pedda Ganjam to Chennai. The canal all along the coast was filled with Tsunami water, which overflowed at a few places and receded back to sea within 10-15 min. This helped save the lives of several fishermen, especially in coastal Andhra Pradesh and parts of Chennai city and also helped in the clearing of the aquaculture debris. This canal has been used as a route for Chennai mass rapid transit system (MRTS). MRTS was constructed along the canal and on its banks of the canal and stations like Kotturpuram, Kasturba Nagar and Indira Nagar, where narrowed the canal up to 50m in few places.
RE-BIRTH OF THE BUCKINGHAM CANAL
To bring back the glory of Buckingham canal the Inland waterway authority of India, declared it as National waterway 4 on 24 November 2008 under the Provisions of National Waterways Bill, 2006, By adding the course of river sections like Godavari river section (171km) from Badhrachalam to Dowaleswaram and Krishna river section(157km) from wazirabad to Prakasam barrage. The concept of National Waterways was introduced in 1982 to promote the development of inland water transport in the country. At present, out of six declared National Waterways, developmental works are being carried out on NW-1, 2, and 3 only by Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). It initiated the proposals for development in July 2010. It was estimated a cost of Rs1,500 crore(2009) and a total land of 1707 ha of must be acquired from both the states.
CONCLUSION I know that some people are still searching for the 2nd question. I hope you got the answer by following the article. If the project is successful then the tourism of the east Godavari may significantly increase as the boat trip from Bhadrachalam to Dowelswaram and it continues to the hope island and mangrove forests(Korangi), through Kakinada. Which sums up and makes a day-long journey for enthusiasts and Adventurers.
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References: --> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckingham_Canal -->http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/untreated-sewage-pollutes- waterways/article2495513.ece -->http://www.thehindu.com/seta/2005/08/11/stories/2005081100171500.htm -->http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/09/23/stories/2002092300130300.htm -->https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Waterway_4 -->https://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=14&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjupszFl6PZAhXCoJQKHd-XCvYQFgh_MA0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindubusinessline.com%2Feconomy%2Flogistics%2Fa-3000crore-makeover-for-buckingham-canal%2Farticle8500129.ece&usg=AOvVaw1hsBQchj9N0tZuhyoZKwIK
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