Kerala High Court Directs State Government to File Affidavit on Chellanam Coastal Protection Measures
The Kerala High Court has issued a directive to the state government, ordering it to file an affidavit regarding the steps taken after the cabinet granted sanction for comprehensive coastal protection works in Chellanam. This move aims to safeguard the fishing community and coastal population from sea erosion, with the court seeking a definite timeline for implementation.
Petition Seeks Urgent Action Against Sea Erosion
A bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice V M Syam Kumar issued this directive in response to a petition filed by residents V T Sebastian, T A Dalfine, and others from Chellanam. The petitioners urgently requested immediate measures to prevent sea erosion and damage caused by sea waves in the Chellanam coastal area. They specifically sought directives to construct sea walls using sand-filled geobags, build groynes on a war footing, or adopt any other emergent measures suitable for mitigating the erosion and wave damage.
Government's Policy Decision and Project Details
During the hearing, the High Court noted that an affidavit filed by the chief engineer of irrigation and administration revealed that the state government had taken a policy decision on January 21, 2026, at the cabinet level to implement comprehensive coastal protection works for Chellanam. Following this decision, a Government Order dated January 25 was issued, granting administrative sanction for the project titled 'ASE – Reformation of Damaged Sunken Sea Wall and Allied Works Using Tetrapods'.
The project has been sanctioned an amount of Rs 404 crore for execution, with funding to be provided through the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). Additionally, the Kerala Irrigation Infrastructure Development Corporation (KITDC) has been designated as the special purpose vehicle for implementing the project, in accordance with the cabinet decision and applicable financial and administrative procedures.
Project Scope and Objectives
The sanctioned project includes the reformation of damaged and collapsed sea walls, along with allied coastal protection works along the Chellanam coastal stretch. Designed with expert technical assistance, the project aims to provide effective protection to the fishing community and prevent further sea erosion, as stated in the affidavit. This comprehensive approach is intended to address the long-standing issues faced by coastal residents due to environmental degradation.
Court's Observations and Adjournment
Noting that the government had taken satisfactory steps on the issue, the High Court adjourned the petition to March 11. The court directed the state to file the affidavit detailing the progress and timeline, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in the execution of the coastal protection works. This judicial oversight ensures that the measures are implemented promptly to benefit the vulnerable coastal communities.
