The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Councillors stand up for safe coast

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Tuesday, Feb 12, 2008
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Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Councillors stand up for safe coast

Special Correspondent

Seek steps to stop erosion this monsoon; demand relocation of fisherfolk

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: UDF councillors representing the coastal wards in the city have urged the government to protect the coastal areas from marauding waves during the forthcoming monsoon season. They also wanted the families of fisherfolk to be relocated to safer places.

A press note quoting councillors Veli Varghese (Poundukadavu), Sheeba Justin (Vettucaud), Philomina Rani (Valiathura), Badarunnisa (Beemapally East) and V.S. Ajikumar (Manikyavilakam) called on the government to take preventive action in view of the extensive damage caused by rough sea in the previous years.

‘Disaster looms’

It accused the government of diverting funds earmarked for rehabilitation of tsunami victims.

The UDF leaders said the heavy erosion witnessed along the Thiruvananthapuram coast over the last few days was indicative of what was to come during the monsoon.

Scene after tsunami

“Post- tsunami, the magnitude of the erosion has been increasing along the coastal belt from Kollengode to Varkala. The situation is bound to worsen unless the government comes up with urgent measures to check the invading sea.”

They alleged that the government had failed to honour its word to relocate two rows of houses from the beaches and to construct sea walls in erosion-prone areas.

They warned that the government would have to face strong protest from the residents in the coastal belt, if adequate measures were not taken for their safety.

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