KOCHI: The reconstruction of seawalls, which were damaged when cyclone Ockhi lashed various parts of Ernakulam district, began on Saturday. A statement issued by the District Information and Public Relations Department said reconstruction of seawalls has started at Vellankanni Bazar, Maruvukkad, Allungal and Cheriyakadavu areas. K J Maxi MLA convened a meeting to evaluate the reconstruction work on Saturday.
District Collector Mohammed Y Safirulla and former MP P Rajeev said funds for the reconstruction of the seawalls would be availed from the corporate social responsibility activities of BPCL Kochi. The seawalls would be constructed using advanced Geotube technology. Funds have been sought from the government on an emergency basis for seawall construction (Rs 8 crore) and the construction of a breakwater in Chellanam (Rs 3 crore). The executive engineer (minor irrigation) said during the meeting that procedures have been adopted to complete the seawall construction before April 30.
Representatives of the public said reconstruction of seawalls - 300 metres at Vellankani Bazar, 330 m at Companypadi, 100 m at Vachakal and 110 m at Puthenthodu - has to be completed. Following this, the Collector ordered the authorities to prepare an estimate regarding the reconstruction of seawalls in these areas. The officials visited 412 houses along the coast and carried out cleaning activities on Saturday. As many 22 wells were cleaned. NSS volunteers from Maharaja’s College also actively took part in the cleaning drive. Apart from repair works of 94 toilets, 90 septic tanks and ponds were cleaned.