The Chellanam–Kochi Janakeeya Vedhi has demanded that the second phase of the sea wall construction across the coastline of Chellanam panchayat must be extended up to the Beach Road near Fort Kochi.

“Our request is to retain the same design and quality of the ​tetra​pods that had been used for the first phase of the project, for the second phase as well. The sea wall must thus be extended up to Beach Road, instead of stopping at Manassery,” said V.T. Sebastian, general convener of the Vedhi.

The forum​, which has been carrying out an agitation for more than 2,408 days demanding the construction of the second phase of the tetrapod-based sea wall across the unprotected coastline stretch in Chellanam panchayat​, has submitted a formal request seeking its extension to Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan, Minister for Irrigation Mons Joseph and other people’s representations.

The first phase of the project covered a distance of 7.3 km from Chellanam to Puthenthode, and this was completed at a cost of ₹347 crore. ​The second phase of the project involves the construction of the tetrapod-based sea wall for a distance of 6.1 km from Puthenthode to Manassery. The estimated cost for the second phase is ₹404 crore.

“The first phase used tetrapod-based concrete structures that did not require curing or watering and were highly resistant to seawater. The work was completed at a cost of around ₹50 crore per kilometre. If the second phase is executed in the same manner, ₹306 crore would be sufficient to complete the stretch up to Manassery, and the remaining amount could be utilised to extend the sea wall up to Beach Road,” said Mr. Sebastian.

He said the addition of chemicals to strengthen the concrete used for the second phase tetrapods had increased the cost to around ₹16 crore per kilometre.

“If the chemical used to provide extra strength is removed, nearly ₹98 crore can be saved. The amount can then be utilised to extend the sea wall from Manassery to Beach Road,” said Mr. Sebastian.