KOCHI: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the construction of the Rs 344 crore tetrapod seawall and groyne field project in Chellanam on Saturday. Though the official opening had to be postponed earlier due to the pandemic, the seawall works was launched in February.
Saturday’s inaugural function will be held at 5pm at the St Mary’s High School in Chellanam, following which Vijayan is expected to visit some places where the works are progressing.
In the wake of the state-wide protests against the CM in connection with the gold smuggling case controversy, heavy security arrangements have been made by the police in Chellanam.
Water resources minister Roshy Augustine will be presiding over the function that will be attended by industries minister P Rajeeve, Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden, Ernakulam district panchayat president Ullas Thomas, Kochi MLA KJ Maxi, KIIFB CEO KM Abraham, water resources department additional chief secretary TK Jose, water resources department secretary Pranabjyothi Nath and senior officers of the irrigation department and Kerala Irrigation Infrastructure Development Corporation (KIIDC), which is the project implementing agency.
The project is part of the Rs 5,300 crore state-wide coastal security projects announced by the LDF government. Chellanam is one among the 10 hotspots worst-affected by sea erosion, included in the initial phase. The project is implemented as per the report submitted by Chennai-based National Centre for Coastal Research, which conducted an elaborated study on the issues faced by Kerala coast.
The construction is being carried out by Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society (ULCCS). The most important part of the construction is the 4.3m high stone seawall along 700m coast at Bazaar, which was added to the first phase following protest by residents there. Though the deadline set was May 14, only around 450 metres seawall have been constructed so far. In other places too, where tetrapod seawall is envisaged, the works are not completed.
KIIDC officials said that since the base for the seawall has been constructed, it would provide a preliminary protection to the coast. Residents too said that no sea erosion has been reported this year so far, but things could change if the monsoon strengthens.
ULCCS has set up a new concrete mixing plant at Eramalloor for making tetrapods. Its functioning can be affected if the supply of around 4,000 tonnes of stone and aggregates like sand and cement are hit due to the rains.
