Kerala Chief Minister to launch ₹93.22 crore coastal protection project for Pozhiyoor

A house damaged by high tide at Pozhiyoor in Thiruvananthapuram. (Photo file) | Photo credit: PTI

The state government has announced a ₹93.22 crore project to protect the coastal area of ​​Pozhiyoor in Thiruvananthapuram district from erosion.

Chief Minister VD Satheesan will launch a project on September 22 (Tuesday) to provide Pozhiyoor with a robust defense against encroaching waves using a combination of ridges, sea wall and tetrapods, Water Resources Minister Mons Joseph said on Sunday.

The coastal defense system, designed to be 1,700 meters long, will offer long-term protection to homes, roads and public facilities. A total of 11 annual stands will be built as part of the project. There will also be a 4.5 meter wide concrete walkway on top of the dam, Mr Joseph said.

Severe coastal erosion along the Pozhiyoor, Kollengode and Parithiyoor stretches poses a threat to more than 3,000 families. A state highway passing through the area was also damaged by the waves. The local residents requested the Chief Minister, Mr. Joseph, Fisheries Minister VE Abdul Gafoor and MLA N. Shakthan for a permanent solution to the problem.

Subsequently, the government decided that the ₹93.22 crore project would be implemented by the Kerala Irrigation Infrastructure Development Corporation (KIIDC) – an agency of the irrigation department – ​​using Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) funds.

Mr. Joseph will preside over Tuesday’s ceremony. Mr. Gafoor, Mr. Shakthan and MP Shashi Tharoor will be present.

Published – 20 Sep 2026 23:56 IST