High Court for temporary measures to protect Chellanam coast

Kerala High Court addresses sea erosion prevention measures, waterlogging issues, and drainage maintenance in Kochi city.

A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Thursday observed that while long-term measures for preventing sea erosion along the Chellanam coast could go on, it is expected that at least temporary measures should be initiated in advance.

The Bench made the observation when a writ petition filed by three residents seeking completion of the reconstruction of the sea wall along the coast came up for hearing.

In a report, the District Collector submitted that steps had been taken to prevent sea erosion at the Chellanam coast. The report said that 961 metres of temporary protection using geobags was at the planning stage, and that it would take at least two months to implement it.

The court also asked the government pleader to inform it of how the placing of geobags/geotubes could be expedited.

The court also directed the District Collector to look into the issue of waterlogging in Thrikkakara and file a report before it.

Justice Devan Ramachandran issued the directive when cases seeking to prevent flooding of city roads came up for hearing. It was brought to the notice of the court that drains and other facilities in Thrikkakara were inadequate, and the District Collector should initiate an evaluation of the situation in Thrikkakara.

Meanwhile, the counsel for the Kochi Corporation submitted that desilting of drains and canals was in full swing. The court said that in spite of the heavy downpour, there had been no major flooding or inundation in the city. Some efforts were made for cleaning of canals and drains. The court noted with great appreciation that the health squad of the Corporation was on the road even at night to ensure that drains were not clogged.