Kerala HC seeks report on steps taken for Chellanam coastal protection

Kochi: High court has directed the state govt to file an affidavit regarding the steps taken after the cabinet gave sanction for comprehensive coastal protection works at Chellanam to protect the fishing community and coastal population, along with a definite timeline.A bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice V M Syam Kumar issued the directive in response to a petition filed by V T Sebastian, T A Dalfine and others of Chellanam, seeking immediate measures to prevent sea erosion and damage caused by sea waves in the Chellanam coastal area. The petitioners also sought a directive to build sea walls using sand-filled geobags, to construct groynes on a war footing, or to adopt any other immediate or emergent measures suitable for preventing sea erosion and damage caused by sea waves at Chellanam.During hearing, HC noted that the affidavit filed by the chief engineer, irrigation and administration, stated that the state govt had taken a policy decision on Jan 21, 2026, at the cabinet level to implement comprehensive coastal protection works for Chellanam. In furtherance of the said decision, a GO dated Jan 25 was issued, granting administrative sanction for the project titled ‘ASE – Reformation of Damaged Sunken Sea Wall and Allied Works Using Tetrapods', sanctioning an amount of Rs 404 crore for execution of the project, with funding through the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB).Besides, the Kerala Irrigation Infrastructure Development Corporation (KITDC) has been designated as the special purpose vehicle for implementation of the project, in accordance with the cabinet decision and the applicable financial and administrative procedures. The sanctioned project includes the reformation of damaged and collapsed sea walls and allied coastal protection works along the Chellanam coastal stretch, designed with expert technical assistance to provide effective protection to the fishing community and prevent further sea erosion, the affidavit stated.Noting that the govt had taken satisfactory steps on the issue, HC adjourned the petition to March 11 and directed the state to file the affidavit.