Once considered an engineering marvel, the Varkala Tunnel is a
924-foot-long (277 meters) stretch of inland waterway built by the British as
a trade route. It is a significant historical landmark in Varkala and a
must-see on a sightseeing excursion. Etched out under a cliff, this
century-old tunnel is about 41 kilometers (25.6 miles) from Trivandrum. A
huge vent on the roof opens up this dark underground structure to fresh air
and sunshine. Work on the tunnel began in 1869 and took 14 years to be
completed. Used to ferry goods and people between Trivandrum and Kollam
(Quilon) in the pre-independence times, Varkala’s TS canal passes through
this derelict structure. The structure locally known as ‘Varkala Turuthu’ was
built under the supervision of Divan Sir T Mahadeva Rao of Travancore and
completed in 1880 at the time of Divan Sheshaya Sasthri. A sojourn in
Varkala is incomplete without a visit to this inspirational
