Work on the Tetrapod Coast Protection wall that is approaching completion in Chelllanam. | Photo Credit: H Vibhu
The movement of the State Government on the establishment of offshore, underwater geotubes fortified sea sand to protect the coast, give the inhabitants of coastal Chelllanam Panchayat new hope, one of the worst areas in the state of marine erosion and floods.
A notice of comprehensive plans for Zaveen was made on Friday, May 16 at a meeting convened by Zaven MLA KN Unnrishhnan, after visiting the coastal areas of the MV Ramana Murtha, director of the National Coast Research Center, Chennai. Coast protection work will be carried out by Kerala Coastal Development Corporation.
The announcement aroused the spirits of people in Chelllanam, where the construction of the Tetrapod wall along the coast remains work on coastal protection. Kochi-Chelllanam Janakiya Vedi Convener VT Sebastian said that part of the budget allocation 100 crore to work on coastal protection in the state could be used to protect the coast in Zaven.
If so, some of the funds could be used for similar works in Chelllanam, he added.
The Tetrapod wall has already been built along the 7.3 km section between the fishing port of Chelllanam and Puthenthod. Janakiya Vedi demands that the work on the remaining segment of the coast be completed.
The public protest requiring comprehensive coast protection, which started in October 2019, has now exceeded 2,000 days, said Mr. Sebastian.
Janakiya knows that submerged geobags filled with sand can help weaken the power of waves and thus reduce the coastal erosion. They also suggested that it could help in the formation of the beach if it is stored near the Chelllanam coast.
The inhabitants believe that the installation of Geotube would be a more cost -effective method of coastal protection. Meanwhile, they insisted that the entire coast to Fort Kochi was included in the protection plan.
They stressed that marine erosion deteriorates in areas such as Saudi, Manassery and Beach Road, and an immediate action is needed.
Published – May 18, 2025 20:24
