Kerala High Court Directs GIDA to Release Rs 35 Crore for Edavanakkad Seawall Construction
The Goshree Islands Development Authority (GIDA) has informed the Kerala High Court that it will release Rs 35 crore for the construction and maintenance of a seawall in Wards 1, 9, and 13 of the Edavanakkad panchayat in Ernakulam district. This funding is contingent upon receiving administrative sanction from the state government.
Court Directs Immediate Action on Funding Confirmation
Noting this submission, a bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice V M Syam Kumar directed GIDA to promptly forward a confirmation letter to the state government. This step is crucial to enable the government to decide on administrative approval and sanction the necessary funds, thereby facilitating the project's execution.
Consequently, the High Court adjourned a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by E K Saliharan and four other Edavanakkad residents to March 12. The PIL seeks directions for authorities to construct and maintain a seawall in these three wards, which are particularly vulnerable to coastal erosion.
Vulnerability of Coastal Wards and Scientific Proposals
The petitioners highlighted that Wards 1, 9, and 13, with a coastline of approximately 2.4 kilometers, face significant threats from sea and soil erosion. In response, the Water Resources (IR) Department's additional chief secretary submitted a communication detailing ongoing efforts.
The department has obtained a comprehensive proposal from IIT Madras costing Rs 4.24 lakh. This proposal includes a bathymetric survey, which measures water depth and maps underwater features, along with field investigations, sediment studies, numerical modeling, and preparation of a complete tetrapod-based design for the entire stretch. Currently, this proposal is under consideration by the finance department.
Additionally, a proposal costing Rs 9.13 lakh was received from the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS) for desk studies. However, this proposal excludes bathymetry and field investigations. The irrigation division executive engineer in Ernakulam was directed to consult GIDA regarding fund allocation for investigation and design, but written confirmation has not yet been received.
High Court Emphasizes Need for Scientific Design Finalization
Upon reviewing the additional chief secretary's communication, the High Court observed that even if Rs 35 crore from GIDA and Rs 25 crore under the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) are sanctioned, project execution cannot commence without finalizing the scientific design and preparing a detailed project report (DPR).
The court stated it will review the matter after four weeks, during which time the respective departments are expected to make decisions on the funds. This timeline underscores the urgency of addressing the coastal erosion issues in Edavanakkad, ensuring that all procedural and scientific requirements are met for effective and sustainable seawall construction.
