Tetrapod work completed in Chellanam

Construction of tetrapod seawall along the coastal stretch of about 7 km between Chellanam fishing harbor and Puthenthod fishing ditch near Kannamali is nearing completion, the authorities have started construction of tetrapod seawall along the coast of Kannamali, Cheriyakadavu and Kattiparambu as a temporary measure against tidal surges. But it has been decided to deploy Geobag Seawall. On the possible flooding of the coast during the coming monsoon season.

Sources said the work would have been completed around three months earlier for the huge shortage of stone. The monthly supply of stone was reduced to 10 to 12 loads instead of the required 60 to 70 loads, which slowed down the work considerably. With the completion of the tetrapod deployment, three groins out of a total of six have also been completed.

This work has been done at a cost of about Rs 344 crore. Bids will be invited later to complete the construction of the Tetrapod Seawall along the remaining part of the Chellanam beach. Meanwhile, Chellanam Janakiya Vedhi, a people’s forum in the coastal village, has reiterated its demand that the entire stretch between Chellanam and Fort Kochi should be covered for coastal security.

In keeping with the work done at Chellanam to arrest sea erosion, the government is looking to deploy tetrapods at other sea erosion hotspots along the coasts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Alappuzha districts.

Work on the construction of geo-sandbags along the Kannamali, Cheriyakadavu and Kattiparambu beaches is expected to begin soon. In a release issued here by the district administration, it has been said that this decision has been taken in a meeting called to review the preparedness of the district for the upcoming rainy season.

Funds for the Geo Sandbag Seawall will come from the Disaster Management Fund and Rs 14 lakh will be used for the purpose. The geo sand bag walls will cover three wards for a total distance of 420 metres. While these measures are expected to keep any major problems at bay, ASHA workers have been asked to visit homes to create awareness. The operations of Harit Karma Sena, which is now limited to 24% households in the panchayat, will be expanded to include more households.