Kerala Cabinet Clears 404-Crore Second Phase of Chellanam Sea Wall

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Minister P Rajeev, in an official Facebook post, announced that the Cabinet has approved the second phase of the Chellanam tetrapod sea wall, awarding the 404-crore-rupee project to ULCCS under the nomination system.

Sharing the development with satisfaction, Minister P Rajeev said he had first decided on building the Chellanam tetrapod sea wall during his first meeting in the Assembly after assuming office. The first phase of the project, spanning 7.3 km with an investment of 347 crore rupees, was completed in 2023. The minister expressed personal satisfaction at the progress.

As previously planned, the Cabinet has now cleared the way for constructing the remaining 6.1 km of the tetrapod sea wall to complete the project. On average, the state government spends over 66 crore rupees per kilometre for shoreline protection in Chellanam.

Rajeev noted that even when representatives from the same party were in power both in the state and at the Centre, completing this project was not possible. The LDF government has realised it through determination, even at a time when the Union Government was unwilling to invest in coastal protection. He added that the move demonstrates the state government’s commitment to the people of Chellanam, who have long faced the threat of coastal erosion.

He thanked Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine, Finance Minister K N Balagopal, and KIIFBI Administration for supporting the approval of the second phase. Kochi MLA K J Maxi also played a key role in ensuring the project moved forward.

The first phase was completed on time with high quality, thanks in part to the contribution of the Uralangkal Labour Society, the minister noted, expressing confidence that ULCCS would deliver the second phase on schedule as well.

“Chellanam is now seeing the return of families who had left the area. Where once only images of ruined homes were visible, now new houses and smiling faces are appearing. We have ensured this change and joy for the people of Chellanam, and we will continue to move forward while keeping all our commitments,” Minister Rajeev said.