Latest news with #KeralaStateCoastalAreaDevelopmentCorporation
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Offshore breakwaters proposed for Shankhumukham trigger debate
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As Shankhumukham Beach continues to face severe erosion, experts have recommended the construction of offshore breakwaters to protect the shoreline and restore the once-popular destination in the state capital. However, the proposal has triggered criticism and concern, with many pointing to the still-incomplete offshore breakwater project at nearby Poonthura. MLA Antony Raju, after discussions with multiple departments and experts, has decided to push the offshore-breakwater project mooted by the Kerala State Coastal Area Development Corporation (KSCADC) to protect the Shankhumukham. However, the decision hasn't gone down well with the irrigation department -- which is responsible for coastal conservation in the state. The decision to proceed with the offshore-breakwater project has come at a time when the irrigation department has drawn up a comprehensive project, funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), to construct 'land-locked breakwater' at Shankhumukham -- one of the critical spots under threat of erosion in the state. The department has decided to oppose the offshore-breakwater project on the grounds that it's not suitable for Shankhumukham Beach. According to official sources, the department has already submitted a proposal. The Rs 150-crore project proposes beach nourishment along with land-locked breakwater and is expected to be completed within five years. 'The ADB-funded project is a foolproof project which has been drawn up after years of study. Government approval will see the project take off immediately. Offshore breakwater is not suitable for beaches like Shankhumukham which have very high wave activity,' a senior official with the department said. 'Nothing has been finalised and there will be more discussion at the government-level,' the official added.
The Hindu
23-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
379 houses built under Punargeham project in Alappuzha
As many as 379 houses have been constructed under the Punargeham project of the State government in Alappuzha. Officials of the Fisheries department say 310 families have so far shifted to their new houses. Earlier, 1,212 families have informed their willingness to move from the coastline to safer places. As many as 750 beneficiaries in the district had identified land for building individual houses and completed land registration procedures. Meanwhile, the construction of an apartment complex under Punargeham for coastal residents at Mannumpuram, near Purakkad, is also inching closer to completion. As many as 204 fisher families would be relocated to the housing complex once it is ready. The facility constructed by the Kerala State Coastal Area Development Corporation on 3.48 acres of land has 17 blocks, each having 12 flat units. Each 491 sq ft flat unit has two bedrooms, living/dining area, kitchen and toilet. Besides, roads, drinking water, electricity, waste management systems, and compound walls are being readied. The government launched Punargeham to provide housing for all fisher families residing in areas vulnerable to coastal erosion (within 50 metres of the coastline) in nine coastal districts of the State. The government provides beneficiary families an amount of ₹10 lakh each including ₹6 lakh for buying land and ₹4 lakh for constructing houses. The amount is disbursed in instalments.
