- By Priyanka Koul
- Mon, 23 Feb 2026 08:00 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
A light-and-sound show, featuring Kerala's history with its focus on saint-social reformer Sree Narayana Guru's teachings, will be launched in Chilakoor Tunnel near Varkala on February 26.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will officially launch a series of tourism initiatives at the picturesque Chilakoor Beach in Varkala, marking the inauguration of the first phase of the Akkulam-Chettuva Waterway, as reported by The Hindu.
This will be the first immersive visual experience for visitors, projected within the tunnel using advanced video mapping technology.
The 280-km Akkulam-Chettuva Waterway forms part of the ambitious 616-km Kovalam-Bekal waterway project, which represents a significant milestone in the development of Kerala’s inland waterways.
The renovation of the tunnel has been carried out by Kerala Waterways Infrastructure Limited (KWIL), a joint venture between the state government and Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL).
As part of the project, CIAL will also introduce an electric boat equipped with a light-and-sound system, allowing tourists to enjoy the spectacular visual experience inside the tunnel.
The light-and-sound show, designed using mapping technology on the tunnel's surface, has been created at a cost of Rs 4.5 crore.
The show will feature a 3D video, showcasing Kerala’s stunning landscapes, pivotal moments in the evolution of its literature, notable literary figures, prominent tourist destinations, and its cultural diversity.
A six-minute segment focusing on the life and teachings of Sree Narayana Guru, a key figure in Kerala’s social reform movement, will be the highlight of the show, explained S. Suhas, Director of KWIL.
The illustrated frames depicting Guru’s life have been created by students and faculty from the RLV College of Music and Fine Arts, Thripunithura, Kochi, and these images have been animated using state-of-the-art technology.
The boat ride and light-and-sound show will mark the panoramic Chilakoor Beach as a riveting destination, imparting a big thrust to water-based tourism in Kerala, Suhas said.
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The specially designed 20-seater electric boat is built by Kochi-based startup NavAlt Green Mobility.
The vessel is equipped with four high-intensity laser projectors, advanced onboard sound systems, and battery power, ensuring a synchronised and eco-friendly visual spectacle.
KWIL is also setting up a beach park and boat jetty at the canal and Kerala Hydel Tourism Centre will set up a ticket counter for visitors.
Chilakoor Tunnel is a 350-metre engineering marvel, designed to make hassle-free the end-to-end inland navigation of the erstwhile princely state of Travancore.