The Nayarambalam panchayat has been allocated an additional ₹10 lakh to place geobags along the coast to protect against sea incursion, said K.N. Unnikrishnan, MLA. The panchayat had earlier been allotted ₹39.60 lakh.
The additional funds were sanctioned by the Disaster Management Authority based on an estimate prepared by the Irrigation department for constructing temporary seawalls. A geobag-based seawall will be built along the 100-metre stretch from Nayarambalam Puthan Kadappuram to St. Antony’s Church. Geobags placed near the church three years ago were destroyed by sea erosion, resulting in the inundation of several houses in the area.
Construction of a seawall along the 89-metre stretch around the church, using funds from the Disaster Mitigation Fund, is already under way. However, considering the increased severity of sea incursion, ₹10 lakh has now been allocated to cover an additional 100-metre stretch.
Mr. Unnikrishnan said the Irrigation department has been directed to carry out the work as per the estimate. He added that the geobag placement will be completed at the earliest to protect the lives and property of the coastal residents.
