The Eravipuram Coastal Area Protection Council has alleged that the Tangasseri Break Water Project and the dredging carried out for Kollam Port have played a major role in making the Kakkathope-Thanni coastal belt in Eravipuram vulnerable to the rough waves.
The allegations come at a time when the Kakkathope area is facing the threat of being washed away, as sea has turned rough over the past few days. Rough sea is encroaching upon the area and even threatens to wash away the coastal road.
Council president P Jerome said that the Eravipuram coast was once used by traditional fishermen as a safe harbour for venturing into deep waters.
Meanwhile, with the construction of the Tangasseri Break Water and the Port, the situation has changed completely. Now, even the safety of fishing hamlets is at stake. Jerome alleged that apprehensions raised by the fishermen community were not properly addressed at the time of opening the port.
He alleged that no environmental impact study was conducted before constructing the Port.
The capital dredging currently carried out in the Port spending crores of rupees has put the Eravipuram coastal area to further risk, he said and demanded the authorities to bring the dredging works to a halt.
The local people had blocked N Peethambara Kurup MP, when he arrived at the area the other day.
He was finally released, after getting an assurance from him to take immediate steps for construction of sea wall. A 500-metre sea wall is proposed for the area.
Hartal tomorrow
Meanwhile, the situation in Eravipuram is turning tense and the Protection Council has announced a hartal at Eravipuram area on Thursday. The hartal supporters are also planning to block the National Highway near Kottiyam.