Chellanam residents intensify protest seeking permanent solution for sea erosion
Kochi: Hundreds of Chellanam residents took out two protest rallies on Friday demanding immediate measures to prevent sea erosion. Expressing solidarity with the people, priests from the Alappuzha and Kochi dioceses held a hunger strike near the Thoppumpady BOT bridge, demanding the construction of a sea wall from Kannamally to Fort Kochi as an immediate solution to the issue.
As the monsoon showers intensified, Chellanam experienced the highest ever sea surge in recent years. As more than 500 houses were affected by sea surge, the residents of Kannamaly and Puthanthodu regions of the Chellanam panchayat held a protest on Monday. The protesters also staged a blockade on the Alappuzha-Fort Kochi state highway.
The rallies and the hunger strike on Friday were the continuation of these protests under the banner of 'Care Chellanam' collective.
The mass rallies that commenced at 3.30pm from Palluruthy and Thoppumpady Santhom Junction concluded at the venue of the hunger strike. While the hunger strike which began at 10am at the BOT Junction was inaugurated by Kerala Region Latin Catholic Council vice-president Joseph Jude, a rally by priests from St Sebastian Church, Thoppumpady, was inaugurated by Kripasanam director Joseph Valiyaveettil. Varapuzha archdiocese auxiliary bishop Rev Antony Valunkal spoke at the event.
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The sea wall in the panchayat's coastal areas was damaged in the 2017 cyclone Ockhi, accelerating the sea erosion. Following coastal residents' protests, the govt allocated Rs 340 crore for constructing a 12.5km sea wall from Chellanam fishing harbour towards the north, but only 7.35km was completed. The area from Puthenthode to Fort Kochi is currently experiencing intense sea erosion and construction has been completely halted.
"Many homes here are either partially or completely destroyed, making them uninhabitable. We are expecting high waves next week as the sea becomes more powerful with the new moon. If authorities now send back people from relief camps to homes, they will have to return to the camp again next week. Since the temporary sandbags and geo bags were completely destroyed in the recent sea surge, the high waves expected during the new moon will severely affect the area," said general convenor of Chellanam-Kochi People's Forum V T Sebastian.
Forum members also demanded that the govt should provide rental houses or pay rent for those living in damaged houses.
The rallies were flagged off by KCBC secretary general Rev Thomas Tharayil and Kerala Latin Catholic Association state president Sherry J Thomas. The concluding meeting was inaugurated by Kottapuram diocese bishop Rev Ambrose Puthenveettil.
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