Latest news with #Chellanam-KochiPeople'sForum
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
People's collective criticises phased seawall construction in Chellanam
Kochi: Chellanam-Kochi People's Forum argued that implementing the seawall project in a phased manner was unscientific and would worsen the sea erosion issue in the region. A statement issued by the forum on Wednesday stated that the govt ignored the people's demand for implementing the coastal protection project in a single phase from Puthenthode to Beach Road. The partial implementation of the project does not solve the issue but rather redirects the sea intrusion to areas north of where the tetrapod project was already implemented. "The govt's decision to allocate Rs 306 crore for constructing a seawall from Puthenthode to Cheriyakadavu will offer only temporary relief. The forum welcomes this decision. However, we protest the exclusion of areas from Cheriyakadavu to Beach Road from the project announcement," it said. V T Sebastian, general convenor of the forum, pointed out that sea intrusion became severe in areas north of Puthenthode after the construction of seawall from Chellanam Harbour to Puthenthode. He said that if the govt proposal to build a protection wall up to Cheriyakadavu in the second phase was implemented, intense sea intrusion would be experienced in localities like CMS. "Currently, the existing seawall in these areas is either damaged or weak. Moreover, compared to other regions, the coastal areas within the Kochi corporation limits and nearby places like Kaithaveli, Kattiparambu and CMS in the Chellanam panchayat are densely populated. A strong sea intrusion here would cause significant distress to the people. The current govt decision will make the situation more complicated. The govt should reconsider the decision to implement the project in a phased manner and extend the current plan up to the Beach Road area," he said.
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Rs 306-crore tetrapod seawall project at Kannamali gets nod
1 2 3 4 Kochi: In a major relief to Chellanam residents, cabinet granted approval for the second phase of the tetrapod seawall project on Wednesday. The Rs 306-crore second phase will be implemented along a 3.6km stretch from Puthenthodu to Cheriyakadavu, in Chellanam panchayat, where sea surges threaten hundreds of houses. Industry minister P Rajeeve said revised administrative sanction for the seawall — which will be implemented as a KIIFB project — and the revised administrative sanction would be provided this week. The tetrapod seawall project's 7.3km-long first phase, from Chellanam to Puthenthodu, was completed in 2023 at a cost of Rs 347 crore. The project was initially designed to build a tetrapod seawall over a distance of 10km and breakwater structures (pulimuttu) at two locations. However, the authorities could complete only 7.3km due to cost escalation. Now, a revised detailed project report (DPR) for the second phase has been prepared which needs fresh administrative approval. The minister said KIIFB's financial approval would also be made available soon. Chellanam is one of the 10 hotspots identified by the irrigation department that faces the most severe sea erosion. Though the tetrapod seawall prevented sea erosion on the Chellanam-Puthenthodu stretch during this monsoon, the Puthenthodu-Kannamali-Cheriyakadavu stretch witnessed the highest ever sea surge in the last four years. More than 500 houses were badly affected in the area and one of the houses in the Cheriyakadavu region was completely damaged. The geobags placed in several parts of the area were also washed away in the sea surge. Social organisations in the coastal area have joined hands and launched various protest programmes demanding tetrapod seawall construction in more areas of the Chellanam coastal area to protect their homes and lives from coastal erosion. The authorities failed to implement any temporary protective measures along the Chellanam-Kochi coast, which is severely threatened by sea erosion this monsoon. After organising more than 10 protest programmes in various parts of Chellanam and in the city demanding a permanent solution to the sea erosion issue, Chellanam-Kochi People's Forum had taken out a protest march to the district collectorate on April 11, demanding immediate steps before the onset of the monsoon. But authorities failed to intervene. The forum's working chairperson Thushar Nirmal said around 25 homes were completely washed away by waves in the past two years and more than 50 families were relocated in Chellanam area alone.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Chellanam-Kochi People's Forum organizes hunger strike demanding sea wall construction
Kochi: Chellanam-Kochi People's Forum organised a hunger strike on Tuesday demanding the construction of a tetrapod sea wall from Puthenthode to Beach Road. Anastacia Athippozhi, a Chellanam resident who is affected by severe sea erosion, formally inaugurated the hunger strike held at Kattiparambu. The cabinet meeting to be held on Wednesday is expected to take a decision regarding the sea wall construction. However, the forum is demanding that the sea wall construction project should be implemented in a single phase, as construction in a phased manner would not be effective in preventing sea erosion. "Govt informed that efforts were under way to construct a tetrapod sea wall from Puthenthode to Manassery area with financial assistance from Asian Development Bank. However, at present, the authorities are planning to construct a sea wall only for a 4km stretch from Puthenthode to Cheriyakadavu. If the coastal protection project continues to be implemented in segments, it will badly affect the entire coastal area. Therefore, the govt should be prepared to complete the construction of the sea wall and breakwater structures from Puthenthode to Beach Road in a single phase," informed the forum. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Severe sea erosion affecting areas north of Puthenthode was partly due to the construction of sea walls and breakwater structures from Chellanam Harbour to Puthenthode, they alleged. If the project is implemented in a phased manner again, it would certainly affect areas north of Cheriyakadavu. These areas have a high population density and it would affect the people, said V T Sebastian, general convenor of the forum. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Protest continues in Kochi demanding tetrapod seawall along coastal areas
Kochi: Protest demanding construction of a tetrapod seawall from Puthenthodu to Fort Kochi coastal areas continued on Wednesday. Although a road blockade organized by locals on Alappuzha-Fort Kochi state highway ended on Wednesday morning following discussions with revenue officials, a hunger strike was organized jointly by Kochi and Alappuzha dioceses under the banner of Care Chellanam initiative. Hundreds of people, including women and children, participated in the strike. Chellanam-Kochi People's Forum urged govt to seek help of National Disaster Response Force to prevent sea surges along coastal area. "As high tides are expected within a week, temporary measures should be taken on a war footing along Chellanam-Kochi coast to prevent sea surges. Despite repeated requests, govt failed to carry out any pre-monsoon preparations, leaving people to face the consequences of sea surges," said a statement issued by the forum on Wednesday. Following a petition in court, govt decided to spend Rs 1.25 crore to construct a 961m-long geobag barrier along the coast. However, work regarding this is delayed due to lack of resources. Sea surges that occurred in recent days brought hardships to people. Many houses along the coast were destroyed or severely affected, said the statement.
