Iconic boat jetty at Vaikom set to get a major facelift after years of neglect

After lying in shambles for years on end, the iconic boat jetty at Vaikom where Mahatma Gandhi disembarked a boat to join the historic Vaikom Satyagraha, is finally set to get a major facelift.

The Irrigation department has embarked on a project to restore the heritage structure, constructed by the erstwhile Travancore royals. The project, scheduled to be carried out over a period of six months at a cost of ₹25 lakh, envisages replacing the damaged parts of the wooden roof, besides reconstruction of the platform and laying of floor tiles.

Mahatma Gandhi arrived on a boat from Ernakulam to participate in the Vaikom Satyagraha on March 9, 1925. The renovation work as part of the preservation of the old boat jetty, which was touched by Mahatma Gandhi’s feet, is nearing completion.

The jetty, one of the oldest surviving timber-framed structures at Vaikom, was at the risk of being lost as a result of neglect and decay. The restoration efforts are focused on maintaining its historical integrity. “Currently, the construction work of the floor is in progress. The floor has been raised a little to prevent water from entering during high tide. The old boat jetty was built using teak and anjli (wild jack) wood. While its roof is made of anjli and the walls consist of teak planks,” said an official.

The damaged parts of the roof were replaced with anjili wood and new roofing materials have been installed. The walls, meanwhile are undergoing renovation with teak planks. Roof renovation and plastering work of the walls have been completed. The plank with the royal seal of Travancore, which was removed as part of the renovation, has also been restored.

The old jetty, which used to be abuzz with activities for more than a century, fell into oblivion following the commissioning of another jetty a few yards away from it on February 11, 2011. Following this, the operation was shifted to there and boats to Thavanakadavu are operating from there. Following this, the old facility had long served as a work shed for the boat crew and technicians.