The coastal villages of Kanniyakumari and Nagercoil Assembly Constituencies in Kanniyakumari District, which stretch along the shores of the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, have several demands and needs that are yet to be addressed by the government.
Although the immediate grievances of the residents have been addressed in some villages in these constituencies, some of them feel that the works have been implemented for the sake of it and not for the intended purpose.
Around 15 coastal villages fall under the jurisdiction of Kanniyakumari and Nagercoil constituencies. However, most of them were not satisfied with the projects implemented in their villages.
Kitherian Starwin, a resident of Kanniyakumari, highlighted the problem of sewage seeping into the sea, which the residents have been facing for a long time despite trying all possible steps to prevent it.
He added, “It was said that the funds for the project were approved a few months ago and the PWD department is waiting for allotment of land, but the project is yet to be commissioned and sewage from urban areas continues to enter the sea.”
As a tourist destination, Kanniyakumari has not seen any effective measures to prevent sewage from entering the sea.
Talking about the recently widened groyne at Periyanayaki Street in Kanniyakumari, he said, “It needs to be further widened for another 200 meters and the current development is of no use to the fishermen as it is not serving its purpose.”
Jeya Cyril, an activist from Chinna Muttom, said, “Chinna Muttom fishing harbor is the first fishing harbor in Kanniyakumari district and the facility houses about 350 mechanized boats.”
Mr. Cyril noted that some of the requirements include police bases at the fishing port and a fire station at the port in case of emergency.
He added, “The road leading to the fishing harbor from the village is only about 20 to 30 feet wide and in the peak season which is between June and October, there are frequent problems of traffic jam and others. He explained that a bypass connecting the fishing harbor and the main road would be beneficial for traders coming in thousands from different regions.”
Kovalam, a coastal village in Kanniyakumari constituency, has about 160 fiber boats and is famous for its anchovy fishery, with traders showing keen interest in buying ‘Kovalam Nethili’.
Venis, a resident of the village, emphasized the need to expand the existing shoot in the village, noting that the structure was built before the tsunami and recently restored, but does not show its purpose. He added, “The Arabian Sea starts from the village and due to the waves during the rough conditions, most of the houses are affected.”
Melrose, a resident of Puthenthurai, highlighted the immediate need for toilets and walls that were destroyed during the surge last July. She added that the toilets and grounds of almost 13 houses were completely damaged.
She noted, “Since then, many women and other family members have been using the nearby land for open defecation,” and called on the government to take immediate steps to build toilets for the wave-damaged houses.
She further added that work is currently underway to build a breakwater wall, but they are only using boulders and not tetrapods, which has raised concerns among residents, who are also worried that damage would occur again.
Pillaithoppu Parish Secretary Edison also emphasized on the immediate construction of breakwater at Pillaithoppu and Azhikkal villages as both the places are vulnerable to sea water intrusion. He added: “During the wave season, in addition to seawater intrusion, toilet drainage problems have become a common problem, causing difficulties for residents.”
He also pushed for women’s empowerment programs to be established in coastal villages to ensure women’s livelihood and sustainable income.
Residents are also further expecting the much-needed renovation of Sothavilai and Sanguthurai beaches as the development would increase livelihood opportunities for fishermen in the locality.
Published – 20 March 2026 21:16 IST
