Second Phase of Chellanam Seawall Construction to Be Inaugurated Tomorrow

Kochi: The inauguration of the reconstruction of the seawall using concrete tetrapods along a 7.30 km stretch from Chellanam Harbor to Puthenthope, including the Pulimuttu chain in the Bazar area, as well as the reconstruction of the seawall using tetrapods along a 6.10 km stretch up to the northern end of Chellanam Panchayat, will be carried out by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at Puthenthope Beach on Saturday at 3:30 PM.

The second phase of the tetrapod seawall is being constructed along a 6.1 km stretch from Puthanthod to Manassery Fishing Gap. Upon completion, Chellanam Panchayat will be completely protected from sea erosion. More than one lakh tetrapods and 6.85 lakh tonnes of granite will be used for the second phase of construction. The state government has given administrative approval for Rs 404 crore, with the amount allocated by KIIFB. The construction is being overseen by the Kerala Irrigation Infrastructure Development Corporation and carried out by the Ooralunkal Co-operative Society.

With the completion of the first phase of tetrapod seawall construction, covering the area from Chellanam Harbor to Puthenthope, the southern region of the panchayat has remained calm. Since then, residents of southern Chellanam have not experienced damage from heavy rains or sea erosion. However, the Kannamali area continued to face severe coastal erosion. The second phase of construction provides a permanent solution for this issue.

The ceremony will be chaired by Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine. Other participants include Industries Minister P. Rajeev, Minister for Cultural Affairs Saji Cheriyan, and Kerala Government representative K.V. Thomas.