Kerala’s Leader of Opposition, V.D. Satheesan said that ordinary residents of coastal areas live in misery after facing severe coastal erosion due to rough sea conditions; they cannot get medical attention and educate their children.
The Kerala government has been accused of having made plans to throw people out of their homes in the coastlines are based on widespread suspicion by Mr. Satheesan, who said that this matter will be raised in the state assembly
“The situation is similar in Nayarambalam which is located right next door. The Goshree Island Development Authority (GIDA) established to find solutions to problems like seaward erosion facing coastal residents around Kochi is not working. Even it does not conduct regular meetings,” he noted.
Further, Mr. Satheesan noted that granite seawalls have never been repaired since the 2004 tsunami hit them. Regrettably, even though a sea wall would be patched up as at present, the Government would merely make periodic claims about huge packages for these costs thereby spend quite less or no money at all towards ensuring safety for its citizens according to him.
State Fisheries Minister held Coastal development meetings – Theera Sadass – in all major coastal centers and promised solutions to the poor people but nothing has been done so far, he said.
‘Fishermen hit hard’
Furthermore, the government’s negligence adds weight on those living along coast because they may not go fishing regularly due to weather advisories; thus there is an acute shortage of fish catch and the fishermen have to grapple with hiking fuel cost for boats; During the time of former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, when kerosene was costing Kshs40 per litre , fishermen were given a subsidy of Kshs25 only; “Even now when fuel costs Rs140 a liter,” he declared while referring to diesel/petrol prices.”
The Leader of Opposition cited an answer received in Lok Sabha recently by Congress leader Hibi Eden, MP, that the Kerala government had not submitted any coastal protection plan to the Central government.
Moreover, he stated that when Kannamaly was enveloped by sea waves, it followed the limitation of a seawall to a small portion of Chellanam coast. He castigated the Government for their lack of priority towards addressing people’s suffering.
On poor state of roads
Similarly, he doubted an allegation by Minister for Public Works P.A. Mohamed Riyas that roads in Kerala were largely unharmed; “No way. Even roads are not fit for traffic,” according to him.
At the same time Mr. Eden said there is no plan from State government towards coasts’ protection after United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government has left power; This came as he claims for last eight years no new projects have been submitted.
