Chellanam remains the worst affected of the 10 identified marine erosion hotspots in Kerala.
Nearly 5,000 families in Chellanam panchayat remain exposed to the vagaries of what threatens to be rough seas this monsoon as the second phase of construction of the tetrapod-based barrage, launched with much fanfare ahead of the assembly elections, has seen little progress.
On 7 March 2026, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched the second phase covering 6.10 km from Puthenthode to Manassery at an estimated cost of ₹404 crore to be funded under the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board. Although no timetable for its completion has been announced since many of the affected houses moved after its completion, encouraged by many of the damaged houses returning to be repaired, the invasion made use of resources obtained with considerable difficulty. The first phase of the project, covering the 7.3 km stretch from Chellanam to Puthenthode, was completed at a cost of ₹347 crore.
Published – 30 Apr 2026 22:38 IST
