Kannetti backwaters is one of the common sight during Thiruvananthapuram journey. This site is in the transformation to become a widely sought tourist spot in Kerala. Kollam District Tourism Promotion Council has introduced a few budget backwater packages for tourists including houseboats, safari boats and speed boats as part of Kannetti Backwater Tourism project.
We set off our journey from near the pavilion under the bridge on a speed boat. We cruised through the waters towards the Kallukadavu Chambakkadavu side in astonishment to have missed this face of Karunagappally which has been familiar since years down the line.
Coconut trees, houses and small canals lined up the sides of the backwaters added to the village beauty. Migratory guests who have turned the trees into their homes welcomed us to this heavenly scene. When the boat gained pace, the ripples in water reciprocated our excitement.
The main threat to nature here is the offal, animal refuse and other noxious substances thrown down to the water from the bridge. The foul smell arising from the sacks of waste dumped here is one thing that drives away the visitors.
At the same time, the intervention of police and district tourism department has bettered the situation resulting in increased number of tourists, said secretary Santhosh.
Boating packages are available towards Kallukadavu, Chambakkadavu, Malumel Kadavu side and Alumkadavu Amritapuri side. New package began towards Kattil Mekkathil Devi temple. Anyone who is going to Amritanandamayi Math in Vallikavu and those going towards Thiruvananthapuram by road can experiment this boat journey.
The main attraction here is that the beauty of the village life can be enjoyed from the boat as the width of the backwater is not much.
Ticket charges
The houseboat package costs Rs 4000 for four persons. Each extra person will cost an additional Rs 400. Speedboats cost Rs 4000 per hour. A round trip from Kannetti to Kattil Mekkathil Devi temple cost Rs 200 for one person. One round trip on safari boat cost Rs 100 for one person. All these are excluding GST.
Nearby attractions
There are many nearby tourist spots that can be visited along with Kannetti tourist centre. Sasthamkotta freshwater lake, Amritapuri (10km), Kattil Mekkathil Devi temple (10km), Ochira temple (8 km), Kayamkulam Krishnapuram Museum (10 km) and Adi Shankara Memorial Museum (9 Km) are some of them.
Karunagappally is the nearest railway station. DTPC phone number: 0474 2743620
