Opposition leader calls for rehabilitation of people in coastal erosion-hit areas

The southwest monsoon has aggravated the coastal erosion along the coastal belt of Pallithura in Thiruvananthapuram, flooding the houses along the shoreline. The State government should take urgent steps to rehabilitate the affected people in the stretch, said Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan. He was speaking to the media after visiting the area and the affected people in Pallithura on Thursday.

The situation in Pallithura is a direct reflection of the distress in the coastal areas. The sea is rising towards the shore with each passing season. As many as 25 houses in one lane are at high risk, while around 40 houses in another stretch are also at risk. Although plans have been made for the rehabilitation of the affected people, none of them have materialised, he said. The people here cannot go far from the coastal area. The government should take steps to rehabilitate them on government-owned land on the coast, he said.