The second phase of the tetrapod seawall project at Chellanam, costing Rs 3.06 billion, has been approved at a ministerial-level meeting held in Thiruvananthapuram. This phase will cover the remaining 3.6-kilometre stretch of the seawall as originally planned.

The project will be financed by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). Industries Minister P Rajeeve stated that the revised administrative sanction for the project will be issued within the week.

Approval for this phase was granted with special focus on protecting vulnerable stretches of the Chellanam coastline where the tetrapod structure is yet to be constructed. The first phase, completed in 2023, covered 7.3 kilometres at a cost of Rs 3.47 billion and was the initial decision of the current state government after taking office.

Originally, the plan aimed to build 10 kilometres of tetrapod seawall alongside rubble barriers in two sections. However, due to revised construction costs and recommendations from an IIT report, the first phase was limited to 7.3 kilometres. The second phase will complete the remaining section according to the initial plan. A detailed project report worth Rs 3.06 billion has been prepared, so only revised administrative approval is pending. Financial clearance from KIIFB is also anticipated shortly.

Chellanam is among ten hotspots identified by the Irrigation Department as highly vulnerable to severe sea erosion. Industries Minister Rajeeve highlighted that the state government currently spends an average of Rs 1 billion per kilometre on coastal protection. He also criticised the Union government’s lack of financial support for coastal defence, emphasising Kerala’s commitment to safeguarding affected areas.

Rajeeve noted that the LDF government has brought long-awaited relief to Chellanam, which had faced persistent threats from sea erosion. He expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine for facilitating approval of the project’s second phase.