PIL filed before Kerala High Court to build stronger tetrapod seawall along Vypin coast

A public interest litigation (PIL) petition has been filed before the Kerala High Court flagging the need for a stronger tetrapod-backed seawall along the Vypin coast in Ernakulam to protect nearby residents from sea intrusions and coastal land erosion ahead of the monsoons [AG Joy & Ors v. State of Kerela & Ors.].

The PIL has been filed by nine residents of the Njarakkal and Nayarambalam villages in the Vypin area, who have also sought directions to ensure the proper maintenance of the existing seawall.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar VM on March 26 asked the State's irrigation department to file a report on issues flagged by the petitioners.

"The Irrigation Department shall file a report with regard to the grievances raised by the petitioners concerning the sea wall at Njarakkal and Nayarambalam," the Court ordered.

The matter will be heard next on April 1. In the meantime, the Nayarambalam Grama Panchayat and Njarakkal Grama Panchayat have been directed to file affidavits as well on the issues highlighted in the PIL.

The petition has been filed by residents living along the coastal belt of Vypin island. They have raised concerns that although a seawall exists along the coast near their villages, parts of it get damaged or washed away during periods of heavy rain and strong waves.

This has led to repeated displacement of residents during the rainy season. The petitioners have highlighted that no permanent solution has been implemented to address such recurring issues, despite repeated requests to the authorities.

“On all occasions on rainy season there occurs sea attack and the local residents are evacuated from their homes and they are forced to live in temporary rehabilitation camp or residence of their relatives. Their daily lifes are adversely affected and they are struggling to meet both ends of their life,” said the petition.

The plea further stated that apart from maintaining the existing seawall, additional coastal protection measures such as the installation of tetrapods and the construction of groins (rigid concrete structures built perpendicular to the shore) were necessary to reduce sea intrusion and erosion along the Njarakkal and Nayarambalam coast.

Tetrapods, the petition explained, are large, four-legged concrete structures typically placed along shorelines and breakwaters to weaken the force of incoming waves. Their shape allows water to flow around them rather than directly striking a flat barrier, which helps disperse wave energy and stabilise the shoreline.

The petitioners have argued that strengthening the seawall with such structures could help reduce the impact of waves during the monsoon and prevent further erosion along the coastal stretch.

The petitioners further highlighted that a seawall with tetropods is the most scientifically proven and effective method to prevent sea attacks and soil erosion.

"This method has been successfully implemented in Chellanam Grama Panchayat," the plea adds.

The petition seeks details about the status of the existing seawall's maintenance work, information on measures being taken by the State to protect residents near the coastline during the monsoons, and regular updates on the progress of a stronger seawall project until it is completed.

Advocates Akhil K Madhav, TR Jerry Sebastian, Archana Suresh and Vironica Vincy PB appeared on behalf of the petitioners.

Advocate Varghese K Paul represented the State authorities. Central Government Counsel Navaneeth N Nath represented the Union Ministry of Environment.

[Read Order]