The Fisheries and Harbour Engineering departments will take time-bound measures to address coastal erosion and other issues affecting fishing harbours in Kasaragod, Fisheries Minister V.E. Abdul Gafoor has said after a review meeting.

The meeting discussed bringing new harbour development projects to the district while finding urgent solutions to problems affecting the existing facilities. Since Kasaragod, which has the longest coastline in Keralam, faces severe coastal erosion, stronger coastal protection measures, including the use of tetrapods, will be implemented, the Minister said.

A detailed proposal for Ajanur fishing harbour, a major project requiring substantial funding, has already been prepared. The proposal will be submitted this year for funding under NABARD or the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the Minister said.

The Minister also directed officials to take urgent measures at Thrikkannad, where seawater reaches as far as the State highway during severe sea conditions.

The Minister said the government was considering increasing financial assistance for families who lose their homes to coastal erosion. The existing assistance for land and a house is ₹10 lakh, but rising land prices and construction costs have made the amount inadequate to secure a new home. The government is seriously examining an appropriate revision of assistance, he added.

At Keezhur, the deteriorating bund leading to the groyne has adversely affected the Kasaragod fishing harbour. Since the matter has received the special attention of the MLA, emergency protection measures will be taken in coordination with the Major Irrigation department.

Several other harbour projects were also reviewed. At Cheruvathur (Madakkara), the foundation stone for harbour development will be laid soon. At Manjeswaram, a proposal has been submitted for a bridge and a low-level jetty. As regards the Kasaragod harbour development project, which is estimated at ₹3.6 crore, officials were directed to complete the remaining works within a stipulated timeframe.

The Minister also directed officials to abandon the practice of keeping completed projects waiting for formal inauguration. Harbours should be opened for use as soon as construction is over. The meeting also decided that fishermen and other stakeholders should be consulted before proceeding with projects.

Kasaragod MLA Kallatra Mahin and IUML leader P.M. Muneer Haji were present.