Kerala to Hand Over 400 ‘Prathyasha’ Flats to Coastal Families on August 7

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will officially hand over the keys to the newly constructed 'Prathyasha' housing complex at Muttathara on August 7, as part of the state government’s ongoing coastal rehabilitation efforts. The event, scheduled for 4 PM, will be chaired by Minister Saji Cherian.

The complex, comprising 400 flats, was built under the Punargeham project to provide secure housing for fisherfolk families living within 50 meters of the high-tide line, areas identified as highly vulnerable to sea erosion. Of the total units, 332 flats have been completed in the first phase and will be distributed to beneficiaries during the function. Among the recipients are 162 families who were previously living in rented accommodations, 19 families under the government quota, 133 approved by the district-level committee, and 18 families from the waiting list. Construction of the remaining 68 flats will be completed in the second phase.

The project began in 2023 on an 8-acre plot in Muttathara village, transferred from the Dairy Development Department to the Fisheries Department. The total project cost is estimated at Rs 81 crore. Construction was undertaken by the Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society, with technical oversight from the Harbour Engineering Department.

Punargeham is a key initiative launched by the state to relocate coastal residents from areas threatened by frequent tidal surges and erosion. The project received a total allocation of Rs 2,450 crore in the 2019-2020 financial year, with Rs 1,398 crore sourced from the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund and 1,052 crore from the budgetary provisions of the Fisheries Department. A proposal to build an additional 120 flats—94 in Muttathara and 24 in Karode—is under consideration. So far, 390 families have been rehabilitated in other coastal locations including Karode, Beemapally, Kollam BSS Colony, and Ponnani. Construction of additional housing complexes is progressing in areas such as Manumpuram, Niramaruthur, West Hill, and Koyippadi.

A total of 12,558 families have already received rehabilitation benefits. Under the LIFE Mission, 9,635 land-owning beneficiaries have been provided with houses. In addition to the budgetary allocation of Rs 3,212 crore, another 11,000 crore has been invested in coastal development through KIIFB and various departmental schemes.

As part of the broader support for fisherfolk, the government has disbursed Rs 20 lakh in insurance benefits, distributed 520 FRP boats, and facilitated MBBS admissions for 97 students through the Vidyatheeram initiative. Moreover, 115 fish markets have been established, 79 coastal schools renovated, and 8,000 families supported through the SAFAL program to ensure sustainable livelihoods.