The state government has decided to implement ‘model fishing village’ project of the fisheries department for the first time in Chellanam coastal panchayat. The project envisages the construction of houses, provision of drinking water, sanitation, provision for health facilities, setting up of fish marketing centres, construction of fisheries schools, etc. Also, projects worth Rs 18 crore will be implemented in Chellanam on a war footing to prevent sea erosion and flooding. This includes the Rs 16 crore allotted by the previous LDF government under the 100-day projects and also the Rs 2 crore emergency fund allotted two days ago. The ongoing geotube project worth Rs 8 crore will be completed in a time-bound manner. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting held in Ernakulam Guest House on Thursday that was led by industries minister P Rajeev and fisheries minister Saji Cherian to evaluate the loss caused by sea erosion in Chellanam and decide the actions to be taken to protect the coast. The meeting was attended by Hibi Eden, MP, K J Maxi, MLA, district collector S Suhas and several other officials. Model fishing village project aims at the comprehensive development of coastal villages through the coordinated efforts of various departments.
The ministers said that the project will resolve the problems in Chellanam. Kerala State Coastal Area Development Corporation Ltd (KSCADC) managing director Sheik Pareeth has been entrusted with the responsibility of drafting a study report of the project. A committee led by minister Rajeev will do the overall monitoring of the project implementation and a technical committee headed by Pareeth will monitor the technical aspects of the project. Earlier on Thursday, the two ministers and others, who attended the meeting, have visited Chellanam and interacted with the residents. They also visited the places which were worst affected by the sea erosion last week. Fisheries minister also said that the coastal development projects under the Rs 5,000-crore package announced by the state government will be completed in five years. Tetrapod barrier will be constructed using the Rs 16 crore allotted for seawall construction and the tendering will be completed by June 25. Cleaning and desilting of Vijayan Canal and Upputhodu will be completed soon.
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