Kerala polls 2026: 7.36-km seawall offers hope to Chellanam’s coastal communities

Families who have suffered years of devastation due to sea erosion are finally receiving relief thanks to a 7.36-kilometre-long seawall constructed along the coast of Chellanam panchayat in Ernakulam district.

Every monsoon season, residents along the shoreline endured terrible hardships as strong waves crashed into their homes for decades. Many were forced to leave their homes during severe storms because the sea, which provides for their livelihoods, frequently damaged homes and possessions.

The situation has greatly improved, according to the locals, thanks to the recently constructed seawall.

According to Rita, a resident of Chellanam, "When I came here, the seawall was at a very low level. So whenever sea erosion occurred, all the houses used to get flooded. Everyone had a hard time. After this seawall was built, and water doesn't enter anymore. It's been two years now. Before this, water used to enter our houses, and our belongings would get destroyed. The biggest task was to carry the sick and bedridden people and leave the house (every time it got flooded."

Locals still recall the devastation caused by an unusually powerful sea surge in 2021.

Father Shibichan, Chellanam St Sebastian Church says, "On May 13, 2021, there was a huge sea invasion. It was something that happens only about once in a hundred years. Water would not enter the church premises even at that. But that year, the sea water entered the area and rose up to our neck level. Three priests worked together to help the people during that time. The citizens faced immense suffering."

Following years of protests by locals calling for a long-term solution to sea erosion, the more than seven-kilometre section of seawall is scheduled to be inaugurated on Saturday.

Meanwhile, V T Sebastian, General Convener, Chellanam Kochi Janakeeya Vedi says,"Our protest began on October 28, 2019. Today, that struggle has reached its 2321st day. For all this time, the people have been continuously protesting. They do not have any other demands. Their only demand is a permanent solution to the problem of sea erosion from Fort Kochi to Chellanam. The people do not want displacement or rehabilitation. They do not want to be evacuated from their homes. Their demand is simply that they should be allowed to continue living here. That was our demand."

The Chellanam coastline stretches nearly 17 kilometres and is home to thousands of families. Over the years, relentless sea erosion has damaged hundreds of homes, forcing many residents to temporarily relocate to relief camps during severe monsoon surges.

Although the government offered financial assistance for relocation, many residents say the ₹10 lakh compensation is insufficient to rebuild their lives elsewhere.

"For ₹10 lakh, what will we get here? We can't buy property anywhere with that amount. We have all decided that we will not leave this place. Even if we die here, we will not leave. Some people are going," says Johnson, another Chellanam resident:

Others say seawater entering homes causes severe damage and forces families to stay away from their houses for days.

According to Martin, a Chellanam resident, "It's a big problem when water enters the house. We can't go home for 5–6 days. Our belongings and our house are all affected by this seawater. A lot of people who live close to the seawall area have lost their houses."

For many elderly residents, the memories remain painful.

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Mary, a Chellanam resident, says, "We couldn't even sleep in our house those days. Rooms were all flooded. We would call people to come and help us. How could I do it alone?"

With the Kerala Assembly elections approaching, the coastal protection project has also become a political talking point.

Thankachan, a resident, said, "No work was done. That's why all those sea walls were gone, and the place was destroyed. If they had done something earlier, it wouldn't have been like this."

Sini Antony, Chellanam resident, stated, "We built these houses with our own money — the government has not given us anything. It does not matter to us which government is in power. We are not asking for houses or food. We can somehow manage food. But whichever government it is, they must ensure the safety and security of the people."

The state government says the project will bring major relief to residents.

According to K J Maxi, CPM MLA, "On March 7, the CM will inaugurate both the completed stretch and the second phase at Puthenthodu beach. This will bring big relief to the people. Never has Rs 746 crore been spent for a project in one panchayat."

However, opposition leaders argue that more work is needed to address the larger problem.

Meanwhile, Hibi Eden, Congress MP, Ernakulam, said, "The government has been in power for 10 years. Is this enough? Is this enough? Have all the issues of the fishing community been sorted out? In the same panchayat, there is another section of people who are suffering from sea erosion. So the government should have taken proper steps. Now, at the time of the election, they are doing a gimmick by inaugurating this project at the very fag end, where even now the problems are not being sorted. Again, a stretch of the same panchayat, about three to four kilometres, has people suffering massively. So we demand that a drastic project be sanctioned. The work should have been completed by now. Unfortunately, it's not."

The Chellanam coastal protection project was launched to safeguard the erosion-prone shoreline near Kochi.

The first phase of the project, stretching from Chellanam harbour to Puthenthodu, will be inaugurated by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on March 7. The second phase will cover the remaining 3.6-kilometre stretch.