Rs.1 crore to check sea erosion along Kozhikode coast

Sea walls, coastal roads to be rebuilt; infrastructure to be improved

Strong waves batter the coast near the Puthiyappa fishing harbour. Photo: Ramesh Kurup

The State government has sanctioned Rs.1 crore for taking steps to check sea erosion along the Kozhikode coast.

District Collector C.A. Latha said here on Monday that the amount would be spent on rebuilding the sea walls and improving other infrastructure that required immediate attention. The funds had been allocated from the Department of Disaster Management.

She said that funds would be utilised for providing accommodation to those affected by sea erosion and providing facilities such as drinking water, electricity and free ration.

KSEB sanctions fund

The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has allocated Rs.1 crore for meeting the expenses connected with power supply disruption.

The Collector instructed the officials to take action without delay. Directions had also been issued to raise the height of the sea wall in the 310-metre stretch from Avikkal in Vadakara to Kuriyadi Fish Landing Centre.

The district administration would prepare a project for reconstructing the dilapidated coastal roads in the region. A proposal would also be submitted for raising the height of the sea wall in the three-km stretch from Maliyakkal beach to Madakkara.

Steps had been taken to construct a new high sea wall in front of the Sree Kurumba Bhagavathi temple at Vadakara, she said.

Ms. Latha said that the two families residing on the puramboke beach on the Arakkal temple premises at Onchiyam would be evacuated to a safer place.

The Onchiyam grama panchayat had suggested that these families be accommodated at the flats constructed under the Tsunami Rehabilitation Project. The Housing Board and KSEB would provide the flats with facilities such as drinking water and electricity.