Chellanam residents submit memorandum to CM seeking seawall extension

Kochi: Representatives of Chellanam-Kochi Janakeeya Vedi on Saturday urged govt to extend the ongoing Chellanam-Kochi seawall project up to Beach Road in a single phase, warning that excluding the remaining stretch would leave several coastal areas vulnerable to severe sea erosion.A delegation of the forum met chief minister V D Satheesan at his residence in Aluva and submitted a memorandum signed by 919 residents seeking immediate intervention. The forum also requested govt to utilise the silt generated from Cochin Port Authority’s daily dredging operations for beach nourishment and coastal restoration along Chellanam-Kochi coast instead of dumping it nearly 20km offshore.According to the memorandum, coastal areas including Manassery, Saudi and Beach Road, located north of Chellanam, continue to face intense sea erosion similar to that experienced in Chellanam.

The residents pointed out that the absence of a comprehensive coastal protection project for the remaining 2.4-km stretch has left the region exposed, while existing seawalls have weakened over time due to continuous wave action.The forum noted that earlier phases of Chellanam coastal protection project covered 7.36-km and another 6.1-km stretch already received administrative sanction. It cautioned that ending the project at Chellanam border would only shift the impact of sea erosion further north, affecting more coastal settlements.

The memorandum also sought restoration of eroded beaches and construction of additional protective structures.Chellanam-Kochi Janakeeya Vedi convener V T Sebastian said CM informed the delegation that Kochi MLA Mohammed Shiyas already raised the issue with him. “He said he personally visited the sea erosion-hit areas and our protest venue last year and assured us that the demands would be considered sympathetically,” Sebastian said.