Chellanam-Kochi Janakeeya Vedhi is seeking to extend the sea wall project to Beach Road

Chellanam-Kochi Janakeeya Vedhi demanded that the second phase of the sea wall construction across the coast of Chellanam panchayat should be extended up to Beach Road near Fort Kochi.

“Our requirement is to maintain the same design and quality of quadrupeds that were used for the first phase of the project as well as for the second phase. Thus, the sea wall must extend up to Beach Road instead of stopping at Manassery,” said VT Sebastian, General Convener of Vedhi.

The forum, which has been agitating for more than 2,408 days demanding the construction of the second phase of the tetrapod-based seawall across the unprotected stretch of coast in Chellanam panchayat, has submitted a formal request for its extension to Chief Minister VD Satheesan, Irrigation Minister Mons Joseph and representatives of other people.

The first phase of the project covered a distance of 7.3 km from Chellanam to Puthenthode and was completed at a cost of ₹ 347 crore. The second phase of the project involves the construction of a tetrapod-based sea wall for a distance of 6.1 km from Puthenthode to Manassery. The estimated cost of the second phase is ₹404 crore.

“In the first phase, tetrapod-based concrete structures were used, which did not require curing or watering and were highly resistant to sea water. The work was completed at a cost of around ₹ 50 crore per kilometre. If the second phase is carried out in the same manner, ₹ 306 crore would be enough to complete the stretch up to Manassery, and the remaining amount could be used to extend the sea wall.

He said the addition of chemicals to strengthen the concrete used for the second-stage tetrapods increased the cost to around ₹16 crore per kilometre.

“Almost ₹98 crore can be saved if the chemical used to provide extra strength is removed. The amount can then be used to extend the sea wall from Manassery to Beach Road,” Mr Sebastian said.

Published – 31 May 2026 20:08 IST