Kochi, India: A plea has been submitted in reference with the construction of seawalls or breakwaters to prevent soil erosion in coastal areas of Kochi (Cochin Metropolitan area). Kochi, earlier known as Cochin houses a prominent port since the pre-independent era in the Indian peninsula.
The State government has already announced a Rs.344 crore project to address the issue of sea erosion in Chellanam area but locals are upset that many places like Kannamaly and Western parts of Kochi which are facing the same issue of beach soil erosion are not included in this project.
The dredging projects carried out by Cochin Port Trust is said to have added to the gravity of sea erosion in these areas. The opposition leader of Kochi Metropolitan council demanded urgent steps to be taken in order to construct sea walls or breakwaters in the areas where dredging has increased the depth of the offshore waters. He also demanded the Council to construct tetrapods to contain sea erosion and deploy the same to areas like Kannamaly Church, Cheriyakadavu, Kattiparambu, Manassery, Saudi and Beach Road where sea erosion is severe.
